npr--2020-05-28--U.S.-China Tensions Were Already High. Pandemic And Hong Kong Have Made Things Worse

U.S.-China Tensions Were Already High .
Pandemic And Hong Kong Have Made Things Worse President Trump is warning of possible sanctions this week against China over its treatment of Hong Kong .
It 's the latest source of friction in what 's become an increasingly tense relationship between the world 's two biggest economies .
Things have gone downhill fast in the four months since the two countries signed a preliminary trade deal in which China promised to buy hundreds of billions of dollars ' worth of additional American goods .
`` We 're delighted that the Chinese consumers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best products on Earth — those made , grown and raised right here in the USA , '' President Trump said in January .
Hog farmers were among those who saw a big market .
China has lost much of its own pork production to an outbreak of African swine fever .
`` What that 's done is created a tremendous opportunity for the pork industry around the world , '' said Maria Zieba , director of international affairs for the National Pork Producers Council .
`` Unfortunately , when the Chinese have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to go where the price is lowest . ''
Despite the trade deal , American pork still faces an extra 25 % tariff in China compared to its global competitors .
While pork exports have increased this year , Zieba says they still fall well short of their potential .
Exports of farm goods , factory products and crude oil are all running far behind what was promised in the trade deal , according to a tally from the Peterson Institute for International Economics .
Economist Mary Lovely of Syracuse University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a stretch .
And the coronavirus pandemic has made things worse .
`` The world has changed , '' Lovely says .
`` And clearly , China 's purchases are going to be affected .
One , because their demand collapsed ; secondly , because American supply collapsed .
So you had sort of a double whammy on their reaching these purchase targets . ''
Last week , Foreign Policy magazine ran a story headlined , `` Trump 's China Trade Deal Is as Dead as Can Be . ''
White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still alive , but not as important to the president as it once was .
`` Right now , there 's been a lot of miscues from China , '' Kudlow told Fox Business .
Trump has been harshly critical of China over its handling of the pandemic .
China was slow to acknowledge the coronavirus can spread from person to person .
Still , China appears to have been much more successful than the U.S. at controlling the outbreak .
Yun Sun , who directs the China program at the Stimson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism as an effort to deflect from his own government 's missteps .
`` I think the Chinese reaction is , 'Wait a minute .
Maybe we are responsible for part of it .
But for you to blame everything on us , that 's not fair , ' `` Sun says .
Historically , China has has been cautious about flexing its muscle in Hong Kong or making other aggressive moves because it wanted to maintain a working relationship with the U.S .
But with both countries now throwing sharp elbows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my view , the pandemic is really just an accelerant of the downward spiral in the relationship , which now appears to me to be almost in free fall , '' said Bonnie Glaser , who directs the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
`` I do n't know where the bottom is but I feel like we have n't reached it yet . ''
The Trump administration has been ratcheting up its restrictions on exports of sensitive technology to China .
And its calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like medical supplies are growing louder .
Glaser warns there 's so much anti-China sentiment in the U.S. , the relationship may suffer even if there 's a new president in the White House next year .
`` Both [ presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe ] Biden and Trump are trying to position themselves as being the toughest on China .
And nobody is talking about what in this U.S.-China relationship needs to be preserved , '' Glaser says .
That 's ominous for the kind of cooperation between the two countries the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change and the pandemic .

U.S.-China Tensions Were Already High. Pandemic And Hong Kong Have Made Things Worse
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
President Trump is warning of possible sanctions this week against China over its treatment of Hong Kong. It's the latest source of friction in what's become an increasingly tense relationship between the world's two biggest economies.
Things have gone downhill fast in the four months since the two countries signed a preliminary trade deal in which China promised to buy hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of additional American goods.
"We're delighted that the Chinese consumers will now enjoy the greater access to the best products on Earth — those made, grown and raised right here in the USA," Trump said in January.
Hog farmers were among those who saw a big market. China has lost much of its own pork production to an outbreak of African swine fever.
"What that's done is created a tremendous opportunity for the pork industry around the world," said Maria Zieba, director of international affairs for the National Pork Producers Council. "Unfortunately, when the Chinese have the chance to buy pork, they're going to go where the price is lowest."
Despite the trade deal, American pork still faces an extra 25% tariff in China compared to its global competitors. While pork exports have increased this year, Zieba says they still fall well short of their potential.
Exports of farm goods, factory products and crude oil are all running far behind what was promised in the trade deal, according to a tally from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Economist Mary Lovely of Syracuse University says those targets were always going to be a stretch. And the coronavirus pandemic has made things worse.
"The world has changed," Lovely says. "And clearly, China's purchases are going to be affected. One, because their demand collapsed; secondly, because American supply collapsed. So you had sort of a double whammy on their reaching these purchase targets."
Last week, Foreign Policy magazine ran a story headlined, "Trump's China Trade Deal Is as Dead as Can Be." White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow insists the deal is still alive, but not as important to the president as it once was.
"Right now, there's been a lot of miscues from China," Kudlow told Fox Business.
Trump has been harshly critical of China over its handling of the pandemic. China was slow to acknowledge that the coronavirus can spread from person to person. Still, China appears to have been much more successful than the United States at controlling the outbreak.
Yun Sun, who directs the China program at the Stimson Center, says Beijing reads Trump's criticism as an effort to deflect from his own government's missteps.
"I think the Chinese reaction is, 'Wait a minute. Maybe we are responsible for part of it. But for you to blame everything on us, that's not fair,' " Sun says.
Historically, China has been cautious about flexing its muscle in Hong Kong or making other aggressive moves because it wanted to maintain a working relationship with the U.S. But with both countries now throwing sharp elbows, the brakes are coming off.
"In my view, the pandemic is really just an accelerant of the downward spiral in the relationship, which now appears to me to be almost in free-fall," said Bonnie Glaser, who directs the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I don't know where the bottom is but I feel like we haven't reached it yet."
The Trump administration has been ratcheting up its restrictions on exports of sensitive technology to China. And its calls for reduced dependence on China for critical goods such as medical supplies are growing louder.
Glaser warns that there's so much anti-China sentiment in the U.S., the relationship may suffer even if there's a new president in the White House next year.
"Both [presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe] Biden and Trump are trying to position themselves as being the toughest on China. And nobody is talking about what in this U.S.-China relationship needs to be preserved," Glaser says.
That's ominous for the kind of cooperation between the two countries the world needs to tackle challenges like climate change and the pandemic.


npr--2020-05-28--Illinois Is Reopening But Chicago Isn't Because Of Coronavirus Cases

Illinois Is Reopening But Chicago Is n't Because Of Coronavirus Cases Illinois is joining many of its neighboring Midwest states in reopening some retail shops , restaurants , salons and other businesses Friday .
But Chicagoans will have to wait until the middle of next week to get a haircut or manicure , or eat on a restaurant patio , as Mayor Lori Lightfoot is delaying the limited business reopening until Wednesday , June 3 .
Illinois Gov .
JB Pritzker says every region of the state has now met the criteria to move into phase three of his five-phased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That includes the percentage of positive coronavirus tests falling and remaining below 20 % , a falling or flat rate of new COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals , and enough available medical , surgical and ICU hospital beds and ventilators to handle a possible surge in COVID-19 cases .
Phase 3 of reopening in Illinois is a bit more limited that the plans in many other states .
Illinois residents should not throw out their face coverings and masks as those are still required in public .
Restaurants can reopen for outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 6 feet apart , and groups sitting together are limited to no more than six people .
Hair and nail salons , barbershops , tattoo parlors and other providers of personal care services will be limited to those that can be performed with both the customer and employee wearing coverings over their nose and mouth .
Massages and other body treatments will be limited to 30 minutes .
Nonessential retailers can reopen but must limit the number of customers in their shop at a time to five per 1,000 square feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the normal capacity .
`` Our goal is and always has been to keep people safe from this coronavirus while we restore more of our normal activities , '' Pritzker said at his daily media briefing Thursday .
But he warned Illinois residents not to become complacent because he worries about a possible resurgence in COVID-19 cases .
`` It 's possible that if we have a surge , a spike , and we need to quell that spike , we might potentially have to move backward in the phases , '' Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of us want to do . ''
Chicago , meanwhile , is still considered a place of concern for COVID-19 outbreaks .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force , said last week the number of cases in the city has plateaued , and not fallen as in some other parts of the country , and needs continued monitoring .
The mayor is delaying the city 's limited reopening until the middle of next week , and when it does , some restrictions will be tighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , salons and other businesses will need to limit the number of customers to 25 % of their normal capacity .

Illinois Is Reopening, But Chicago Isn't Because Of Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Illinois is joining many of its neighboring Midwest states in reopening some retail shops, restaurants, salons and other businesses Friday.
But Chicagoans will have to wait until the middle of next week to get a tattoo, haircut or manicure, or eat on a restaurant patio as Mayor Lori Lightfoot is delaying the limited business reopening until Wednesday.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said every region of the state has now met the criteria to move into phase three of his five-phased reopening plan called Restore Illinois. That includes the percentage of positive coronavirus tests falling and remaining below 20%, a falling or flat rate of new COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals, and enough available medical, surgical and intensive care unit hospital beds and ventilators to handle a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.
Phase three of reopening in Illinois is a bit more limited than the plans in many other states. Illinoisans should not throw out their face coverings and masks — those are still required in public.
Restaurants can reopen for outdoor dining, but tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and groups sitting together are limited to no more than six people.
Hair and nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors and other providers of personal care services will be limited to those that can be performed with both the customer and employee wearing coverings over their noses and mouths. Massages and other body treatments will be limited to 30 minutes.
Nonessential retailers can reopen but must limit the number of customers at a time to five per 1,000 square feet of retail space, which is half the normal capacity.
"Our goal is and always has been to keep people safe from this coronavirus while we restore more of our normal activities," Pritzker said Thursday at his daily media briefing.
But he warned residents not to become complacent because he worries about a possible resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
"It's possible that if we have a surge, a spike, and we need to quell that spike, we might potentially have to move backward in the phases," Pritzker said. "That's not anything any of us want to do."
Meanwhile, Chicago is still considered a place of concern for COVID-19 outbreaks. Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said last week the number of cases in the city has plateaued, and not fallen as in some other parts of the country, and needs continued monitoring.
The mayor is delaying the city's limited reopening until the middle of next week, and some restrictions will be tighter than the state's when this reopening occurs. Retail stores, salons and other businesses will need to limit the number of customers to 25% of their normal capacity.


npr--2020-05-28--Theory Vs. Reality: Why Our Economic Behavior Isn't Always Rational

Theory Vs .
Reality : Why Our Economic Behavior Is n't Always Rational We do n't always behave the way economic models say we will .
We do n't save enough for retirement .
We order dessert when we 're supposed to be dieting .
We give donations when we could keep our money for ourselves .
Again and again , we fail to act rationally and selfishly — the way traditional economics expects us to .
We 've seen this during the coronavirus crisis : People selflessly mobilizing to help each other , like the retired Kansas farmer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help a nurse or a doctor .
At the same time , though , we 've also seen some people do exactly what economic theory assumes they will : Place their own self-interest above everything else .
There are those who have even tried to profit from the pandemic , like the man in New York accused of stockpiling N95 masks to sell at an inflated price .
Think about this man who hoarded masks and the man who donated a mask .
In almost every sphere , our public and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of us are going to behave like the first man .
Legislators pass laws that take aim at transgressors .
Regulators and police departments come up with rules that punish lawbreakers .
Parents and teachers discipline truants .
But what about all the helpers , like the man who donated his mask ?
What are the costs when we design our public and economic policies to focus on the crooks and wrongdoers ?
This week on Hidden Brain , we talk with two behavioral economists — Sam Bowles and Richard Thaler — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly fail to describe how people actually behave .
And we consider another question : can policies crafted with only selfishness in mind have perverse effects on the rest of us ?
Misbehaving : The Making of Behavioral Economics by Richard Thaler , 2015 .
Nudge : Improving Decisions about Health , Wealth , and Happiness by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein , 2008 .
The Moral Economy : Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens by Sam Bowles , 2016 .
A Cooperative Species : Human Reciprocity and Its Evolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 .

Theory Vs. Reality: Why Our Economic Behavior Isn't Always Rational
Enlarge this image toggle caption MediaNews Group via Getty Images MediaNews Group via Getty Images
We don't always behave the way economic models say we will. We don't save enough for retirement. We order dessert when we're supposed to be dieting. We give donations when we could keep our money for ourselves.
Again and again, we fail to act rationally and selfishly — the way traditional economics expects us to.
We've seen this during the coronavirus crisis: People selflessly mobilizing to help each other, like the retired Kansas farmer who sent an N95 mask to New York to help a nurse or a doctor.
At the same time, though, we've also seen some people do exactly what economic theory assumes they will: Place their own self-interest above everything else. There are those who have even tried to profit from the pandemic, like the man in New York accused of stockpiling N95 masks to sell at an inflated price.
Think about this man who hoarded masks and the man who donated a mask. In almost every sphere, our public and economic policies are designed around the assumption that most of us are going to behave like the first man. Legislators pass laws that take aim at transgressors. Regulators and police departments come up with rules that punish lawbreakers. Parents and teachers discipline truants.
But what about all the helpers, like the man who donated his mask? What are the costs when we design our public and economic policies to focus on the crooks and wrongdoers?
This week on Hidden Brain, we talk with two behavioral economists — Sam Bowles and Richard Thaler — about why economic models of human behavior regularly fail to describe how people actually behave. And we consider another question: can policies crafted with only selfishness in mind have perverse effects on the rest of us?
Additional Resources:
Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics by Richard Thaler, 2015.
Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, 2008.
The Moral Economy: Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens by Sam Bowles, 2016.
A Cooperative Species: Human Reciprocity and Its Evolution by Sam Bowles and Herbert Gintis, 2011.


npr--2020-05-28--'The Sheer Volume' Is Hard To Capture: Unemployment In Nevada Soars To Historic High

'The Sheer Volume ' Is Hard To Capture : Unemployment In Nevada Soars To Historic High Amid record-breaking unemployment numbers , Nevada stands out .
The jobs crisis hit the state early and dug in deep .
Unemployment there has soared to more than 28 % — the highest in the nation and the highest for any state since 1976 , when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking this data .
The accommodation and food service industry has been hit the hardest , says David Schmidt , chief economist for the Nevada Department of Employment , Training and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-on-year loss of jobs at hotels , casinos and restaurants and other tourism-related businesses .
Here are excerpts from the interview : It 's not just Vegas and Reno that are hit hard .
... A community called Fernley in northwest Nevada — about 57,000 people in total and 20 % unemployment .
This sounds as though it 's hitting the state hard all around .
Is that right ?
Oh , certainly .
We had a nearly 10 % unemployment in all of our metropolitan and micropolitan areas .
Fernley is near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been spared .
Our lowest unemployment is 9.6 % in Winnemucca , which is in north-central Nevada .
Are there specific challenges to getting help to more rural parts of the state ?
Not necessarily challenges getting help out there .
Really , they 've been spared the worst of this .
Las Vegas is our hardest-hit area , whereas the mining industry was n't as affected by the closure of nonessential businesses .
And so we 've seen less of an impact out in our rural areas , where mining is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I think many people realize .
Your agency handles all of these unemployment claims pouring in .
What has been your biggest challenge in this crisis ?
Definitely the volume .
We saw a surge in unemployment claims unlike anything that anyone could have ever expected .
We had been averaging approximately 10,000 new initial claims every month heading into this .
In the first week of the pandemic , we had over 90,000 claims .
We saw nine months ' worth of activity in a single week .
And then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week after that and seven months the week after that .
The sheer volume , I think , is something that is really hard to capture .
Stay-at-home orders in Nevada are being lifted slowly .
...
Many casinos in the Las Vegas area say they will reopen on June 4 , which is the earliest day they could do so .
How hopeful are you about the impact on the state 's unemployment numbers ?
I tend to lean optimistic .
Thirty percent unemployment is comparable to what we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scary sort of thing to say .
But I think it 's also important to recognize that in the Great Depression , we did n't have the programs that we have today — like Social Security , like unemployment insurance , like SNAP ... and Medicaid to help support people .
And because we have those programs in place to help keep people engaged with the labor market , help keep people provided with the things that they need for daily living , I think you can see a much quicker recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where it lasted for decades .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above .

'The Sheer Volume' Is Hard To Capture: Unemployment In Nevada Soars To Historic High
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bridget Bennett/AFP via Getty Images Bridget Bennett/AFP via Getty Images
Amid record-breaking unemployment numbers, Nevada stands out. The jobs crisis hit the state early and dug in deep. Unemployment there has soared to more than 28% — the highest in the nation and the highest for any state since 1976, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking this data.
The accommodation and food service industry has been hit the hardest, says David Schmidt, chief economist for the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, with a nearly 41% year-on-year loss of jobs at hotels, casinos and restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
It's not just Vegas and Reno that are hit hard. ... A community called Fernley in northwest Nevada — about 57,000 people in total and 20% unemployment. This sounds as though it's hitting the state hard all around. Is that right?
Oh, certainly. We had a nearly 10% unemployment in all of our metropolitan and micropolitan areas. Fernley is near to Reno, and it has definitely not been spared. Our lowest unemployment is 9.6% in Winnemucca, which is in north-central Nevada.
Are there specific challenges to getting help to more rural parts of the state?
Not necessarily challenges getting help out there. Really, they've been spared the worst of this. Las Vegas is our hardest-hit area, whereas the mining industry wasn't as affected by the closure of nonessential businesses. And so we've seen less of an impact out in our rural areas, where mining is a much bigger piece of the economy than I think many people realize.
Your agency handles all of these unemployment claims pouring in. What has been your biggest challenge in this crisis?
Definitely the volume. We saw a surge in unemployment claims unlike anything that anyone could have ever expected. We had been averaging approximately 10,000 new initial claims every month heading into this.
In the first week of the pandemic, we had over 90,000 claims. We saw nine months' worth of activity in a single week. And then we had eight months' worth of activity in the week after that and seven months the week after that. The sheer volume, I think, is something that is really hard to capture.
Stay-at-home orders in Nevada are being lifted slowly. ... Many casinos in the Las Vegas area say they will reopen on June 4, which is the earliest day they could do so. How hopeful are you about the impact on the state's unemployment numbers?
I tend to lean optimistic. Thirty percent unemployment is comparable to what we saw in the Great Depression. That's a scary sort of thing to say.
But I think it's also important to recognize that in the Great Depression, we didn't have the programs that we have today — like Social Security, like unemployment insurance, like SNAP ... and Medicaid to help support people. And because we have those programs in place to help keep people engaged with the labor market, help keep people provided with the things that they need for daily living, I think you can see a much quicker recovery than you saw in the Great Depression, where it lasted for decades.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.


npr--2020-05-28--What To Know About Hong Kong's Special Status And What Happens If The U.S. Removes It

What To Know About Hong Kong 's Special Status And What Happens If The U.S. Removes It Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared this week that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous from China `` to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as U.S. laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997 . ''
The decision followed Beijing 's announcement that it would draft sweeping national security legislation for the former British colony , sidestepping the city 's own legislature to outlaw secession , subversion and terrorism .
Here are some key points about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington may mean for the city .
Five years before Britain handed control of Hong Kong to China on July 1 , 1997 , U.S. policymakers agreed to continue to effectively treat the territory as a separate entity from China beyond that date .
Under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 , the U.S. affords Hong Kong special status as a part of China and agreements governing a range of interactions including commerce between the U.S. and Hong Kong that predated the handover would remain in effect .
From the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Hong Kong is treated as separate from China has been in trade and economics .
The U.S. recognizes Hong Kong as a unique customs territory , which means it has been largely spared the upheaval of the U.S.-China trade war .
Hong Kong is one of the United States ' biggest export markets and it has a zero tariff rate on U.S. imports .
Hong Kong is also a key global financial center , a status it earned through decades of an open economy and rule of law .
It 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of China .
The United States government has not revoked Hong Kong 's special status — yet .
Under a 2019 amendment to the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act , the secretary of state is required to report to Congress at least once a year on the status of Hong Kong .
Pompeo 's decertification of Hong Kong as sufficiently autonomous from Beijing opens the door to concrete action by the administration , including possible sanctions .
According to U.S. law , Hong Kong 's special treatment since July 1997 has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise to let the territory remain largely autonomous .
That promise was codified in Hong Kong 's mini-constitution , the Basic Law , which allows Hong Kong to manage its affairs in all areas except national defense and foreign policy under an arrangement called `` one country , two systems . ''
The Basic Law requires the Hong Kong government to enact laws `` on its own '' to prohibit treason , secession , sedition , subversion , theft of state secrets , and to ban foreign political organizations from conducting political activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government tried to do so in 2003 , but failed due to widespread public opposition .
Critics fear such laws could be used to silence dissent or curtail civil liberties .
So China 's ruling Communist Party has taken matters into its own hands , and with its drafting of national security legislation will unilaterally impose such laws on Hong Kong , circumventing Hong Kong 's own legislature .
Pompeo saw that move as part of an `` escalating assault on the territory , '' marked by the erosion of liberties at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he certified that Hong Kong maintained `` a sufficient — although diminished — degree of autonomy . ''
China 's actions since then , including this week 's , pushed it over the line , he said .
What are the implications ?
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stillwell said on Wednesday the U.S would try to `` thread the needle '' when it comes to action .
`` We 're going to do this in a smart way , in a way that takes care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about , while at the same time letting Beijing know that what they 're doing ... contravenes what they agreed to do back in '97 , '' he told reporters .
That may be a challenge .
Hong Kong has long been a regional hub for American businesses drawn by Hong Kong 's free-market traditions , the rule of law and civil liberties .
Close to 1,400 U.S. firms have operations there , according to the U.S. Consulate .
Bilateral trade was nearly $ 67 billion in 2018 , according to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. foreign direct investment totaled more than $ 82 billion in 2017 .
`` Nearly every major U.S. financial firm maintained a presence in Hong Kong , with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets under management , '' according to the State Department 's 2019 Hong Kong policy report .
The U.S. is not alone .
Australia , Canada and Britain joined the United States in a public statement on Hong Kong on Thursday , expressing deep concern over China 's decision to impose the national security law and saying Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prosperity .
Beijing 's increasingly heavy hand in Hong Kong affairs has made many businesses nervous , particularly when it comes to questions around the potential erosion of liberties and judicial independence .
But equally , huge and sometimes violent street protests in recent years — in reaction to Beijing 's encroachments on Hong Kong affairs — have also dented the territory 's image as a stable place to conduct business .
A decision by the U.S. to revoke all or parts of Hong Kong 's trade status could add to strains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions would undoubtedly be met by retaliation from an angry Beijing .
For Hong Kong 's 7 million people , it 's a more complicated story .
Some activists have welcomed Pompeo 's remarks , and see foreign help as the only way now to push back against Beijing .
Others — in line with the thinking of the Chinese government — feel the U.S. has no say in what they consider an internal affair .
Either way , their hometown appears to be in for some monumental changes .

What To Know About Hong Kong's Special Status And What Happens If The U.S. Removes It
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vincent Yu/AP Vincent Yu/AP
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared this week that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous from China "to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as U.S. laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997." The decision followed Beijing's announcement that it would draft sweeping national security legislation for the former British colony, sidestepping the city's own legislature to outlaw secession, subversion and terrorism.
Here are some key points about what the latest moves by Beijing and Washington may mean for the city.
What is Hong Kong's special status?
Five years before Britain handed control of Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997, U.S. policymakers agreed to continue to effectively treat the territory as a separate entity from China beyond that date.
Under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the U.S. affords Hong Kong special status as a part of China and agreements governing a range of interactions including commerce between the U.S. and Hong Kong that predated the handover would remain in effect.
From the U.S. perspective, perhaps the biggest way in which Hong Kong is treated as separate from China has been in trade and economics. The U.S. recognizes Hong Kong as a unique customs territory, which means it has been largely spared the upheaval of the U.S.-China trade war. Hong Kong is one of the United States' biggest export markets and it has a zero tariff rate on U.S. imports.
Hong Kong is also a key global financial center, a status it earned through decades of an open economy and rule of law. It's been a critical conduit for investment flows into and out of China.
What may change?
The United States government has not revoked Hong Kong's special status — yet.
Under a 2019 amendment to the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act, the secretary of state is required to report to Congress at least once a year on the status of Hong Kong. Pompeo's decertification of Hong Kong as sufficiently autonomous from Beijing opens the door to concrete action by the administration, including possible sanctions.
According to U.S. law, Hong Kong's special treatment since July 1997 has always been contingent on China abiding by its promise to let the territory remain largely autonomous. That promise was codified in Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, which allows Hong Kong to manage its affairs in all areas except national defense and foreign policy under an arrangement called "one country, two systems."
The Basic Law requires the Hong Kong government to enact laws "on its own" to prohibit treason, secession, sedition, subversion, theft of state secrets, and to ban foreign political organizations from conducting political activities in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government tried to do so in 2003, but failed due to widespread public opposition. Critics fear such laws could be used to silence dissent or curtail civil liberties. So China's ruling Communist Party has taken matters into its own hands, and with its drafting of national security legislation will unilaterally impose such laws on Hong Kong, circumventing Hong Kong's own legislature.
Pompeo saw that move as part of an "escalating assault on the territory," marked by the erosion of liberties at the hands of Beijing. In 2019, he certified that Hong Kong maintained "a sufficient — although diminished — degree of autonomy." China's actions since then, including this week's, pushed it over the line, he said.
What are the implications?
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stillwell said on Wednesday the U.S would try to "thread the needle" when it comes to action.
"We're going to do this in a smart way, in a way that takes care of the things and the people we care about, while at the same time letting Beijing know that what they're doing ... contravenes what they agreed to do back in '97," he told reporters.
That may be a challenge.
Hong Kong has long been a regional hub for American businesses drawn by Hong Kong's free-market traditions, the rule of law and civil liberties. Close to 1,400 U.S. firms have operations there, according to the U.S. Consulate. Bilateral trade was nearly $67 billion in 2018, according to the United States Trade Representative, and the stock of U.S. foreign direct investment totaled more than $82 billion in 2017.
"Nearly every major U.S. financial firm maintained a presence in Hong Kong, with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets under management," according to the State Department's 2019 Hong Kong policy report.
The U.S. is not alone. Australia, Canada and Britain joined the United States in a public statement on Hong Kong on Thursday, expressing deep concern over China's decision to impose the national security law and saying Beijing's action jeopardized Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
Beijing's increasingly heavy hand in Hong Kong affairs has made many businesses nervous, particularly when it comes to questions around the potential erosion of liberties and judicial independence. But equally, huge and sometimes violent street protests in recent years — in reaction to Beijing's encroachments on Hong Kong affairs — have also dented the territory's image as a stable place to conduct business.
A decision by the U.S. to revoke all or parts of Hong Kong's trade status could add to strains on businesses operating there — and those actions would undoubtedly be met by retaliation from an angry Beijing.
For Hong Kong's 7 million people, it's a more complicated story. Some activists have welcomed Pompeo's remarks, and see foreign help as the only way now to push back against Beijing.
Others — in line with the thinking of the Chinese government — feel the U.S. has no say in what they consider an internal affair. Either way, their hometown appears to be in for some monumental changes.


npr--2020-05-28--Stung By Twitter, Trump Signs Executive Order To Weaken Social Media Companies

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at limiting the broad legal protections enjoyed by social media companies , two days after he tore into Twitter for fact-checking two of his tweets .
`` We 're here today to defend free speech from one of the gravest dangers it has faced in American history , frankly , '' Trump said from the Oval Office .
`` A small handful of powerful social media monopolies control the vast portion of all private and public communications in the United States . ''
The president said the tech companies have `` unchecked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shape , hide , alter '' a large sphere of human interaction .
`` They have points of view , '' he said .
The Trump administration hopes the order will eventually set the stage for new regulations on tech platforms such as Twitter and Facebook .
But legal experts said they were doubtful the move would have any practical effect on the tech giants .
Legal observers described the action as `` political theater , '' arguing that the order does not change existing federal law and will have no bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest confrontation with Twitter was set off after the tech company placed fact-checking warnings on two of his tweets that claimed , without evidence , that casting ballots by mail allows for voter fraud .
Both Democratic and Republican states have used voting by mail for years without reports of widespread fraud .
Trump lashed out at Twitter , comparing the fact-checking labels to censorship and accusing the social media giant of stifling conservative voices , though the president did not provide any examples to back up his assertion .
The president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tout his victories and blast his critics to his more than 80 million followers , said Thursday that if he had the legal authority to do so , he would completely shut down Twitter .
`` I think I 'd be hurting it very badly if we did n't use it anymore , '' Trump said from the White House .
`` We have other sites we can use , I guess , or we 'd have to develop other sites . ''
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said Wednesday that the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distortions on it .
`` This does not make us an 'arbiter of truth , ' `` Dorsey wrote on Twitter .
`` Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves .
More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions . ''
Dorsey 's comment was an apparent response to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg , who told Fox News earlier Wednesday that social media companies should stay out of the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not .
`` Private companies probably should n't be , especially these platform companies , should n't be in the position of doing that , '' Zuckerberg said .
A Facebook spokesperson added that ending the liability shield for social media companies would make sites responsible for what billions of users around the world say .
`` This would penalize companies that choose to allow controversial speech and encourage platforms to censor anything that may offend anyone , '' spokesperson Andy Stone said Thursday .
Regulator : Turning the FCC into `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the answer '' The White House order takes aim at a 1996 law passed by Congress that has often been at the center of political fights over regulating speech on social media platforms : Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act .
The law protects Internet companies from being sued over content that appears on their platforms and allows for content moderation .
The removal of a post is left up to the internal rules of companies such as Twitter and Facebook , provided those decisions are made `` in good faith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of technology companies , even when the statute was used to defend websites advertising children who were forced into sex trafficking .
( In 2018 , Congress amended Section 230 to hold websites legally responsible for promoting prostitution or victims of sex trafficking . )
Trump 's order seeks to chip away at the vast legal protection Silicon Valley has long fought to preserve by offering a new interpretation of the law .
The order argues , in essence , that if the social media companies restrict certain voices on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their legal immunity , opening the doors to a wave of lawsuits over content seen as defamatory .
Legal experts greeted the order with heavy skepticism , saying , absent a new law passed by Congress , it would not be legally binding .
`` It flies in the face of 25 years of judicial precedent , that has been federal precedent in almost every circuit court , '' said Kate Klonick , a professor at St. John 's University School of Law in New York .
`` It 's not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law . ''
The order was `` a very , very clear piece of political theater , '' Klonick told NPR , adding that the action is `` unlikely to have any kind of weight or authority . ''
The order directs the Federal Communications Commission to start a rule-making process to clarify when social media companies should keep protections under the law .
Height Capital Markets analysts Chase White and Clayton Allen described the executive order as `` mostly noise without any teeth . ''
In a note to investors , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control over social media companies , which are not regulated like traditional broadcasters .
And historically , the FCC has been opposed to social media regulation , White and Allen pointed out .
Already , some of the five members of FCC are expressing concern about the White House 's action .
`` There 's this huge thicket of First Amendment issues that it drags the agency into , '' Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel told NPR .
`` Chief among them is the government regulating speech , dictating what can and ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order sought to turn the agency into `` the president 's speech police . ''
Attorney General William Barr said the White House plans to push legislation to Congress that would seek to reinterpret Section 230 to counteract the sweeping protections granted to large technology companies .
`` It 's been stretched , '' said Barr , standing next to Trump in the Oval Office .
`` And I do n't know of anyone on Capitol Hill who does n't agree that it has been stretched beyond its original intention . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media platforms and sites like Wikipedia and the Internet Archive would not be able to exist in the same way without the law .
If the sites were responsible for everything users posted , the cost of defending against a deluge of lawsuits could prove crippling , advocates of the law argue .
Kate Ruane , senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union , called the order an attempt to punish social media companies for posts that displease the president .
`` Ironically , Donald Trump is a big beneficiary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If platforms were not immune under the law , then they would not risk the legal liability that could come with hosting Donald Trump 's lies , defamation and threats . ''
GOP 's Hawley : Companies that act like publishers should be treated as ones Backers of Trump 's order , such as Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, said adding warning labels to the president 's tweets is an editorial decision that shows the social media platform is acting more like a publisher and that the company should lose its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense to treat companies that publish their editorial comments about others ' content as if they are mere distributors .
Companies that act like publishers should be treated like publishers , '' Hawley wrote in a letter to Twitter 's Dorsey .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , supports Twitter 's initiative to flag tweets that contain falsehoods .
She said Trump 's order directs the federal government to `` dismantle efforts to help users distinguish fact from fiction . ''
She said the order does not address the proliferation of disinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2016 presidential election and one that 's expected to be influential in November .
`` Again and again , social media platforms have sold out the public interest to pad their corporate profits .
Their business model is to make money at the expense of the truth , '' Pelosi said .

Stung By Twitter, Trump Signs Executive Order To Weaken Social Media Companies
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Updated at 9 p.m. ET
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at limiting the broad legal protections enjoyed by social media companies, two days after he tore into Twitter for fact-checking two of his tweets.
"We're here today to defend free speech from one of the gravest dangers it has faced in American history, frankly," Trump said from the Oval Office. "A small handful of powerful social media monopolies control the vast portion of all private and public communications in the United States."
The president said the tech companies have "unchecked power to censor, restrict, edit, shape, hide, alter" a large sphere of human interaction. "They have points of view," he said.
The Trump administration hopes the order will eventually set the stage for new regulations on tech platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.
But legal experts said they were doubtful the move would have any practical effect on the tech giants. Legal observers described the action as "political theater," arguing that the order does not change existing federal law and will have no bearing on federal courts.
Twitter, in a statement, called Trump's order "a politicized approach to a landmark law," saying attempts to erode the decades-old legal immunity may "threaten the future of online speech and Internet freedoms."
The president's latest confrontation with Twitter was set off after the tech company placed fact-checking warnings on two of his tweets that claimed, without evidence, that casting ballots by mail allows for voter fraud. Both Democratic and Republican states have used voting by mail for years without reports of widespread fraud.
Trump lashed out at Twitter, comparing the fact-checking labels to censorship and accusing the social media giant of stifling conservative voices, though the president did not provide any examples to back up his assertion.
The president, who often uses Twitter as a megaphone to tout his victories and blast his critics to his more than 80 million followers, said Thursday that if he had the legal authority to do so, he would completely shut down Twitter.
"I think I'd be hurting it very badly if we didn't use it anymore," Trump said from the White House. "We have other sites we can use, I guess, or we'd have to develop other sites."
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said Wednesday that the platform will continue to warn users about factual distortions on it.
"This does not make us an 'arbiter of truth,' " Dorsey wrote on Twitter. "Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions."
Dorsey's comment was an apparent response to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who told Fox News earlier Wednesday that social media companies should stay out of the business of weighing in on what is true or not.
"Private companies probably shouldn't be, especially these platform companies, shouldn't be in the position of doing that," Zuckerberg said.
A Facebook spokesperson added that ending the liability shield for social media companies would make sites responsible for what billions of users around the world say.
"This would penalize companies that choose to allow controversial speech and encourage platforms to censor anything that may offend anyone," spokesperson Andy Stone said Thursday.
Regulator: Turning the FCC into "the President's speech police is not the answer"
The White House order takes aim at a 1996 law passed by Congress that has often been at the center of political fights over regulating speech on social media platforms: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
The law protects Internet companies from being sued over content that appears on their platforms and allows for content moderation. The removal of a post is left up to the internal rules of companies such as Twitter and Facebook, provided those decisions are made "in good faith."
Courts have repeatedly upheld the law in favor of technology companies, even when the statute was used to defend websites advertising children who were forced into sex trafficking. (In 2018, Congress amended Section 230 to hold websites legally responsible for promoting prostitution or victims of sex trafficking.)
Trump's order seeks to chip away at the vast legal protection Silicon Valley has long fought to preserve by offering a new interpretation of the law. The order argues, in essence, that if the social media companies restrict certain voices on their platforms, the companies should be stripped of their legal immunity, opening the doors to a wave of lawsuits over content seen as defamatory.
Legal experts greeted the order with heavy skepticism, saying, absent a new law passed by Congress, it would not be legally binding.
"It flies in the face of 25 years of judicial precedent, that has been federal precedent in almost every circuit court," said Kate Klonick, a professor at St. John's University School of Law in New York. "It's not the role of the president to interpret federal law."
The order was "a very, very clear piece of political theater," Klonick told NPR, adding that the action is "unlikely to have any kind of weight or authority."
The order directs the Federal Communications Commission to start a rule-making process to clarify when social media companies should keep protections under the law.
Height Capital Markets analysts Chase White and Clayton Allen described the executive order as "mostly noise without any teeth."
In a note to investors, they wrote that the FCC only exerts limited control over social media companies, which are not regulated like traditional broadcasters. And historically, the FCC has been opposed to social media regulation, White and Allen pointed out.
Already, some of the five members of FCC are expressing concern about the White House's action.
"There's this huge thicket of First Amendment issues that it drags the agency into," Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel told NPR. "Chief among them is the government regulating speech, dictating what can and can't be said online." She warned the order sought to turn the agency into "the president's speech police."
Attorney General William Barr said the White House plans to push legislation to Congress that would seek to reinterpret Section 230 to counteract the sweeping protections granted to large technology companies.
"It's been stretched," said Barr, standing next to Trump in the Oval Office. "And I don't know of anyone on Capitol Hill who doesn't agree that it has been stretched beyond its original intention."
Proponents of Section 230 say both social media platforms and sites like Wikipedia and the Internet Archive would not be able to exist in the same way without the law. If the sites were responsible for everything users posted, the cost of defending against a deluge of lawsuits could prove crippling, advocates of the law argue.
Kate Ruane, senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, called the order an attempt to punish social media companies for posts that displease the president.
"Ironically, Donald Trump is a big beneficiary of Section 230," Ruane said. "If platforms were not immune under the law, then they would not risk the legal liability that could come with hosting Donald Trump's lies, defamation and threats."
GOP's Hawley: Companies that act like publishers should be treated as ones
Backers of Trump's order, such as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said adding warning labels to the president's tweets is an editorial decision that shows the social media platform is acting more like a publisher and that the company should lose its special protection.
"It makes little sense to treat companies that publish their editorial comments about others' content as if they are mere distributors. Companies that act like publishers should be treated like publishers," Hawley wrote in a letter to Twitter's Dorsey.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., supports Twitter's initiative to flag tweets that contain falsehoods. She said Trump's order directs the federal government to "dismantle efforts to help users distinguish fact from fiction."
She said the order does not address the proliferation of disinformation on social media, an issue central in the 2016 presidential election and one that's expected to be influential in November.
"Again and again, social media platforms have sold out the public interest to pad their corporate profits. Their business model is to make money at the expense of the truth," Pelosi said.
NPR's Shannon Bond contributed to this report.


npr--2020-05-28--Boston Marathon Canceled, Will Be A Virtual Event Because Of Coronavirus

Boston Marathon Canceled , Will Be A Virtual Event Because Of Coronavirus The 124th annual Boston Marathon has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Boston Athletic Association announced the move in a statement on Thursday , saying that the marathon will instead be held as a virtual event .
All participants who were set to run in the event initially slated for April 20 and later pushed back to Sept. 14 will be offered a full refund of their entry fee and have the opportunity to participate in the alternative .
This is the first time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race 's inception in 1897 , according to ESPN .
According to the statement , participants will be required to complete the full 26.2 miles in six continuous hours or less with proof of timing .
The distance can be run any time between Sept. 7 and Sept. 14 .
The Boston Athletic Association added that the virtual race will be supplemented with exclusive events such as panel discussions and interviews with past champions .
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the decision `` allows all of us to celebrate the meaning this race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge , but meeting tough challenges is what the Boston Marathon is all about , '' Walsh wrote .
`` It 's a symbol of our city and Commonwealth 's resilience . ''

Boston Marathon Canceled, Will Be A Virtual Event Because Of Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Krupa/AP Charles Krupa/AP
The 124th annual Boston Marathon has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Boston Athletic Association announced the move in a statement on Thursday, saying that the marathon will instead be held as a virtual event.
All participants who were set to run in the event initially slated for April 20 and later pushed back to Sept. 14 will be offered a full refund of their entry fee and have the opportunity to participate in the alternative.
This is the first time the in-person event has been canceled since the race's inception in 1897, according to ESPN.
According to the statement, participants will be required to complete the full 26.2 miles in six continuous hours or less with proof of timing. The distance can be run any time between Sept. 7 and Sept. 14.
The Boston Athletic Association added that the virtual race will be supplemented with exclusive events such as panel discussions and interviews with past champions.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the decision "allows all of us to celebrate the meaning this race has."
"This is a challenge, but meeting tough challenges is what the Boston Marathon is all about," Walsh wrote in a tweet. "It's a symbol of our city and Commonwealth's resilience."


npr--2020-05-28--Army Grants Posthumous Promotion To Slain ROTC Student

The Department of Defense is granting a posthumous promotion to Richard Collins III , a ROTC student at Bowie State University who was murdered in 2017 , days after being commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army .
Collins , who was black , was stabbed to death while visiting friends at the campus of the nearby University of Maryland .
Sean Urbanski , a white student at the university at the time , has since been convicted of first-degree murder .
Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy notified four Maryland lawmakers of the decision to grant Collins an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` The Army considered the standards and criteria required for an honorary promotion and found that 2LT Collins displayed exemplary conduct in the performance of his duties commensurate with a first lieutenant , '' McCarthy said in a statement .
He added that though Collins ' `` life was tragically cut short by a murder '' he also `` exhibited character and exemplary conduct of an officer of a higher rank . ''
It was a decision that was also supported by Defense Secretary Mark Esper .
News of the promotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a joint statement Maryland Sens .
Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Anthony Brown and Steny Hoyer , all Democrats , said the honorary promotion was `` the rightful recognition '' of Collins ' contributions as a ROTC student .
`` We do not know what would have been , but we do know that his memory will stand as a reminder of the duty , honor and sacrifice borne daily by our servicemen on and off the battlefield , '' the lawmakers said .
`` We will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to Second Lieutenant Collins and his family , and will work to protect future families from such circumstances . ''
Collins was killed three days before he was set to graduate from Bowie State University with a degree in business administration .
The FBI assisted Maryland law enforcement officials in the investigation of whether the murder was a hate crime after it was suspected Urbanski had links to a Facebook group called Alt-Reich : Nation .
Circuit Court Judge Lawrence V. Hill Jr. told prosecutors at the trial they failed to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's actions were motivated by race , according to The Washington Post .

Army Grants Posthumous Promotion To Slain ROTC Student
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Army/AP U.S. Army/AP
The Department of Defense is granting a posthumous promotion to Richard Collins III, a ROTC student at Bowie State University who was murdered in 2017, days after being commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Collins, who was black, was stabbed to death while visiting friends at the campus of the nearby University of Maryland. Sean Urbanski, a white student at the university at the time, has since been convicted of first-degree murder.
Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy notified four Maryland lawmakers of the decision to grant Collins an honorary promotion to first lieutenant, on Wednesday.
"The Army considered the standards and criteria required for an honorary promotion and found that 2LT Collins displayed exemplary conduct in the performance of his duties commensurate with a first lieutenant," McCarthy said in a statement.
He added that though Collins' "life was tragically cut short by a murder" he also "exhibited character and exemplary conduct of an officer of a higher rank."
It was a decision that was also supported by Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
News of the promotion was first reported by the Baltimore Sun.
In a joint statement Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Anthony Brown and Steny Hoyer, all Democrats, said the honorary promotion was "the rightful recognition" of Collins' contributions as a ROTC student.
"We do not know what would have been, but we do know that his memory will stand as a reminder of the duty, honor and sacrifice borne daily by our servicemen on and off the battlefield," the lawmakers said.
"We will continue to fight for the benefits and recognition due to Second Lieutenant Collins and his family, and will work to protect future families from such circumstances."
Collins was killed three days before he was set to graduate from Bowie State University with a degree in business administration.
The FBI assisted Maryland law enforcement officials in the investigation of whether the murder was a hate crime after it was suspected Urbanski had links to a Facebook group called Alt-Reich: Nation.
Circuit Court Judge Lawrence V. Hill Jr. told prosecutors at the trial they failed to meet their legal burden of proof that Urbanski's actions were motivated by race, according to The Washington Post.


npr--2020-05-28--De Blasio Expects New York City To Head Back To Work Next Month

De Blasio Expects New York City To Head Back To Work Next Month Mayor Bill de Blasio expects up to to 400,000 New York City residents to head back to work in the first half of next month , as the city prepares to begin lifting some of its most stringent coronavirus restrictions .
That 's the upshot of the mayor 's news conference Thursday at City Hall , during which he laid out what to expect from a city that emerged weeks ago as the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S. '' Because we 're in the great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic like this , certainly not in the last hundred years — we can only give you a range to begin , but we 're going to know really soon what the truth is , '' de Blasio said .
`` But even if you say 200,000 people , that 's a lot of employees coming back to work .
So we want to make sure it 's done the right way , and we want to emphasize safety throughout . ''
To date , New York City has reported nearly 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll north of 16,600 — more deaths linked to COVID-19 in just New York City , in other words , than all but six countries around the world .
Even as regions throughout the rest of New York — including neighboring Long Island , which officials are treating separately from New York City in this instance — have begun the first phase of the state 's reopening plan , the city of some 8 million people remains behind the starting gate not having hit the necessary benchmarks to open .
But de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need much more time to satisfy the criteria , such as reduced infection rates and ramped-up testing capacity .
He told reporters Thursday that `` all indicators suggest it 'll be announced in the first or second week in June . ''
After that , four principal sectors of the city 's economy will be able to return to work , de Blasio said : construction , manufacturing , wholesale and retail that to this point has been deemed nonessential .
These include sellers of clothing , furniture and other items , provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These sectors , as you can imagine , tend to be the sectors where you need people in person .
But on top of that , they were chosen because there are sectors where you can create a lot of physical separation , '' he said , noting that social distancing regulations will remain in effect .
`` You can make sure that people are safe . ''
At a separate news conference Thursday in Brooklyn , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced that he had signed an executive order allowing businesses statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks .
And he made clear that ultimately , the decision about when New York City will reopen will be made in Albany .
`` We 're on totally the same page , because there 's only one page : There 's state guidelines , period , '' Cuomo said of himself and de Blasio , adding : `` The mayor has his schedule .
I have my schedule .
I talk to him all the time .
But there 's only one page . ''

De Blasio Expects New York City To Head Back To Work Next Month
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frank Franklin II/AP Frank Franklin II/AP
Mayor Bill de Blasio expects up to to 400,000 New York City residents to head back to work in the first half of next month, as the city prepares to begin lifting some of its most stringent coronavirus restrictions. That's the upshot of the mayor's news conference Thursday at City Hall, during which he laid out what to expect from a city that emerged weeks ago as the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S.
"Because we're in the great unknown — we've never been through a pandemic like this, certainly not in the last hundred years — we can only give you a range to begin, but we're going to know really soon what the truth is," de Blasio said. "But even if you say 200,000 people, that's a lot of employees coming back to work. So we want to make sure it's done the right way, and we want to emphasize safety throughout."
To date, New York City has reported nearly 200,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and a death toll north of 16,600 — more deaths linked to COVID-19 in just New York City, in other words, than all but six countries around the world.
Even as regions throughout the rest of New York — including neighboring Long Island, which officials are treating separately from New York City in this instance — have begun the first phase of the state's reopening plan, the city of some 8 million people remains behind the starting gate not having hit the necessary benchmarks to open.
But de Blasio doesn't expect the city to need much more time to satisfy the criteria, such as reduced infection rates and ramped-up testing capacity. He told reporters Thursday that "all indicators suggest it'll be announced in the first or second week in June."
After that, four principal sectors of the city's economy will be able to return to work, de Blasio said: construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail that to this point has been deemed nonessential. These include sellers of clothing, furniture and other items, provided that sales are done through pickup.
"These sectors, as you can imagine, tend to be the sectors where you need people in person. But on top of that, they were chosen because there are sectors where you can create a lot of physical separation," he said, noting that social distancing regulations will remain in effect. "You can make sure that people are safe."
At a separate news conference Thursday in Brooklyn, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he had signed an executive order allowing businesses statewide to refuse entry to people not wearing face masks. And he made clear that ultimately, the decision about when New York City will reopen will be made in Albany.
"We're on totally the same page, because there's only one page: There's state guidelines, period," Cuomo said of himself and de Blasio, adding: "The mayor has his schedule. I have my schedule. I talk to him all the time. But there's only one page."


npr--2020-05-28--14 Million People In Latin America, Caribbean At Risk Of Hunger, U.N. Report Says

14 Million People In Latin America , Caribbean At Risk Of Hunger , U.N. Report Says The coronavirus pandemic has put nearly 14 million people in the Caribbean and Latin America at risk of missing meals , according to a report released Wednesday from the U.N. 's World Food Programme .
The virus has spread quickly in the region in recent weeks , with Latin America surpassing Europe and the United States in its daily numbers of new coronavirus cases reported .
The Americas have become the `` epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic , '' the Pan American Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have even warned of a potential humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to a rising number of cases .
Brazil , the largest country in Latin America , now has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world .
The White House recently restricted travel from Brazil into the United States .
The country 's health minister resigned from his post earlier this month amid disagreements with the president on how to handle the crisis .
Financial hardship is increasing throughout the region , including in Colombia .
As John Otis reported for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bogotá are hanging red cloth from their homes to signal to neighbors that they need food .
The WFP estimates that the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity in the region will increase from 3.4 million to 13.7 million over the course of 2020 .
This is likely to hit those who rely on daily earnings in the informal sector hardest .
The report points out that in Bolivia , that group comprises about 60 % of the population .
The region 's economy is expected to contract by 5.3 % this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean .
A WFP survey of nine countries in the region showed that around 69 % of people in the region have seen a drop in their income because of the pandemic .
Roughly the same number said they are worried about not having enough food .
The impact in urban areas is expected to be particularly brutal .
Seventeen percent of respondents in urban areas said they were having one meal per day or less .
In Haiti alone , the WFP says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people experiencing severe food insecurity could more than double — rising from 700,000 to 1.6 million .
And hurricane season is just around the corner .

14 Million People In Latin America, Caribbean At Risk Of Hunger, U.N. Report Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Mamani /AFP via Getty Images Carlos Mamani /AFP via Getty Images
The coronavirus pandemic has put nearly 14 million people in the Caribbean and Latin America at risk of missing meals, according to a report released Wednesday from the U.N.'s World Food Programme.
The virus has spread quickly in the region in recent weeks, with Latin America surpassing Europe and the United States in its daily numbers of new coronavirus cases reported.
The Americas have become the "epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic," the Pan American Health Organization said earlier this week.
Health officials have even warned of a potential humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to a rising number of cases.
Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, now has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world.
The White House recently restricted travel from Brazil into the United States. The country's health minister resigned from his post earlier this month amid disagreements with the president on how to handle the crisis.
Financial hardship is increasing throughout the region, including in Colombia. As John Otis reported for NPR, residents in a slum near Bogotá are hanging red cloth from their homes to signal to neighbors that they need food.
The WFP estimates that the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity in the region will increase from 3.4 million to 13.7 million over the course of 2020.
This is likely to hit those who rely on daily earnings in the informal sector hardest. The report points out that in Bolivia, that group comprises about 60% of the population.
The region's economy is expected to contract by 5.3% this year, according to a recent report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
A WFP survey of nine countries in the region showed that around 69% of people in the region have seen a drop in their income because of the pandemic. Roughly the same number said they are worried about not having enough food.
The impact in urban areas is expected to be particularly brutal. Seventeen percent of respondents in urban areas said they were having one meal per day or less.
In Haiti alone, the WFP says in its report that the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity could more than double — rising from 700,000 to 1.6 million. And hurricane season is just around the corner.


npr--2020-05-28--'No Mask – No Entry,' Cuomo Says As He Allows Businesses To Insist On Face Coverings

'No Mask – No Entry , ' Cuomo Says As He Allows Businesses To Insist On Face Coverings New York businesses can refuse entrance to anyone who does n't wear a face mask , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Thursday under his executive order that gives store owners the authority to decide whether patrons must wear a mask or other face coverings to enter .
Face masks are `` amazingly '' effective in slowing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , the governor said .
`` People have a right to jeopardize their own health ( I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said via Twitter .
`` People do n't have a right to jeopardize other people 's health . ''
Summing the order up in another tweet , he said , `` No Mask – No Entry . ''
New York , which has suffered the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic , has been requiring people to wear face masks in public since the middle of April .
The order covers any situation in which people would n't be able to maintain social distance , such as walking on a busy street or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state is in the reopening stage , and Cuomo said store owners have the right to protect themselves and other patrons .
`` You do n't want to wear a mask — fine , '' he said at a news conference Thursday .
`` But you do n't have a right to then go into that store if that store owner does n't want you to . ''
New York continues to see promising statistics about its fight against COVID-19 .
The number of new daily hospitalizations due to the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it 's been , '' Cuomo said .
The number of lives lost has also declined over the past week , with 74 deaths reported Wednesday .
The state has delivered 8 million face masks to neighborhoods in New York City and was delivering another 1 million Thursday , the governor said .
As Cuomo prepared to sign an executive order allowing businesses to require face masks , New York lawmakers were working to undo a long-running state law that made it illegal for people to wear masks when they gather in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been in effect since the 1800s , was originally meant to target farmers who wore masks and attacked police to express their anger over low wheat prices .
The potential legal conflict was highlighted last month by New York Attorney General Letitia James , who noted that while it was difficult to imagine the old law being vigorously applied during the pandemic , a change would lay the matter to rest once and for all .
`` Wearing masks in public remains necessary for the health and safety of New Yorkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law , and repealing this outdated provision is commonsense policy , '' James said as the State Assembly approved the legislation repealing the law .

'No Mask – No Entry,' Cuomo Says As He Allows Businesses To Insist On Face Coverings
Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images
New York businesses can refuse entrance to anyone who doesn't wear a face mask, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday under his executive order that gives store owners the authority to decide whether patrons must wear a mask or other face coverings to enter.
Face masks are "amazingly" effective in slowing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the governor said.
"People have a right to jeopardize their own health (I don't recommend it)," Cuomo said via Twitter. "People don't have a right to jeopardize other people's health."
Summing the order up in another tweet, he said, "No Mask – No Entry."
YouTube
New York, which has suffered the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been requiring people to wear face masks in public since the middle of April. The order covers any situation in which people wouldn't be able to maintain social distance, such as walking on a busy street or going to a grocery store or pharmacy.
The state is in the reopening stage, and Cuomo said store owners have the right to protect themselves and other patrons.
"You don't want to wear a mask — fine," he said at a news conference Thursday. "But you don't have a right to then go into that store if that store owner doesn't want you to."
New York continues to see promising statistics about its fight against COVID-19. The number of new daily hospitalizations due to the disease dropped to 163 — "the lowest that it's been," Cuomo said. The number of lives lost has also declined over the past week, with 74 deaths reported Wednesday.
The state has delivered 8 million face masks to neighborhoods in New York City and was delivering another 1 million Thursday, the governor said.
As Cuomo prepared to sign an executive order allowing businesses to require face masks, New York lawmakers were working to undo a long-running state law that made it illegal for people to wear masks when they gather in public or loiter. That law, which has been in effect since the 1800s, was originally meant to target farmers who wore masks and attacked police to express their anger over low wheat prices.
The potential legal conflict was highlighted last month by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who noted that while it was difficult to imagine the old law being vigorously applied during the pandemic, a change would lay the matter to rest once and for all.
"Wearing masks in public remains necessary for the health and safety of New Yorkers. But there was a clear conflict of law, and repealing this outdated provision is commonsense policy," James said as the State Assembly approved the legislation repealing the law.


npr--2020-05-28--Trump Officials Defend Their Handling Of Worker Safety During Coronavirus

Trump Officials Defend Their Handling Of Worker Safety During Coronavirus Trump administration officials defended their handling of worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic at a congressional hearing Thursday in Washington , D.C .
But they acknowledged a grim new tally of deaths among doctors and nurses is `` likely to be an underestimate , '' according to testimony from Dr. John Howard , head of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
This week the CDC raised dramatically its assessment of healthcare worker infections to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry deaths linked to the coronavirus .
Howard said federal officials still are n't able to track the number of workers getting sick from the coronavirus in any industry or region of the country `` due to data collection challenges arising from the pandemic . ''
Still , Loren Sweatt , head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , told lawmakers federal agencies have reacted swiftly , offering updated safety guidelines to employers ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to meat-packing plants and warehouses .
`` OSHA quickly pivoted to focus intensely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to work safely in this rapidly changing situation , '' Sweatt said .
OSHA is currently investigating more than 5,000 complaints from workers linked to COVID-19 risks in the workplace .
Sweatt testified her agency has focused largely on convincing employers to resolve safety problems quickly and voluntarily .
Only one company has been cited for wrong-doing since the outbreak began .
One focus of Thursday 's hearing was a set of new infectious disease regulations , designed to better protect workers during a pandemic like this one .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sweatt said existing rules and voluntary guidance measures already give federal agencies enough tools to protect workers .
She also suggested the regulations had `` languished '' previously under the Obama administration .
But a review of federal documents by NPR found Obama-era officials worked steadily on new infectious disease standards for airborne and contact pandemics , following the standard process for implementing new regulations .
Work on the rules stopped after President Trump took office .
Republicans on the House Labor and Education committee praised that decision , suggesting the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business owners during an economic crisis .
Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina said companies are already doing their best to protect people on the job .
`` Every employer wants his or her workers kept safe , they are their most valuable assets , '' she said .
But as the country moves to reopen and more Americans head back to work , Democrats on the panel argued infectious disease ruled should be adopted quickly as an emergency order .
`` Deep into this pandemic OSHA still has n't developed any enforceable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect workers from airborne transmission , '' said Rep. Alma Adams ( D-NC ) .
The lack of regulatory standards meant the Trump administration was able to relax voluntary safety guidelines repeatedly as the coronavirus spread and shortages of personal protective equipment became dire .
Many hospitals , nursing homes and other workplaces were allowed to ration and reuse equipment even as workers got sick .
In his testimony , Howard acknowledged the CDC 's decision to allow hospitals and other workplaces to force workers to reuse personal safety equipment was n't based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from infection .
`` The science about decontamination is relatively new and I mean very new , '' he told lawmakers , suggesting the practice should only be used as a last resort .

Trump Officials Defend Their Handling Of Worker Safety During Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump administration officials defended their handling of worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic at a congressional hearing Thursday in Washington, D.C. But they acknowledged a grim new tally of deaths among doctors and nurses is "likely to be an underestimate," according to testimony from Dr. John Howard, head of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This week the CDC raised dramatically its assessment of healthcare worker infections to more than 62,000, with at least 294 medical industry deaths linked to the coronavirus. Howard said federal officials still aren't able to track the number of workers getting sick from the coronavirus in any industry or region of the country "due to data collection challenges arising from the pandemic."
Still, Loren Sweatt, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, told lawmakers federal agencies have reacted swiftly, offering updated safety guidelines to employers ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to meat-packing plants and warehouses.
"OSHA quickly pivoted to focus intensely on giving employers and workers the guidance they need to work safely in this rapidly changing situation," Sweatt said.
OSHA is currently investigating more than 5,000 complaints from workers linked to COVID-19 risks in the workplace. Sweatt testified her agency has focused largely on convincing employers to resolve safety problems quickly and voluntarily. Only one company has been cited for wrong-doing since the outbreak began.
One focus of Thursday's hearing was a set of new infectious disease regulations, designed to better protect workers during a pandemic like this one. The Trump administration shelved those proposed standards in 2017. Sweatt said existing rules and voluntary guidance measures already give federal agencies enough tools to protect workers.
She also suggested the regulations had "languished" previously under the Obama administration. But a review of federal documents by NPR found Obama-era officials worked steadily on new infectious disease standards for airborne and contact pandemics, following the standard process for implementing new regulations.
Work on the rules stopped after President Trump took office.
Republicans on the House Labor and Education committee praised that decision, suggesting the new rules would place an undue burden on business owners during an economic crisis. Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina said companies are already doing their best to protect people on the job. "Every employer wants his or her workers kept safe, they are their most valuable assets," she said.
But as the country moves to reopen and more Americans head back to work, Democrats on the panel argued infectious disease ruled should be adopted quickly as an emergency order. "Deep into this pandemic OSHA still hasn't developed any enforceable standards for employers to follow that can protect workers from airborne transmission," said Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC).
The lack of regulatory standards meant the Trump administration was able to relax voluntary safety guidelines repeatedly as the coronavirus spread and shortages of personal protective equipment became dire. Many hospitals, nursing homes and other workplaces were allowed to ration and reuse equipment even as workers got sick.
In his testimony, Howard acknowledged the CDC's decision to allow hospitals and other workplaces to force workers to reuse personal safety equipment wasn't based on conclusive evidence they would be protected from infection.
"The science about decontamination is relatively new and I mean very new," he told lawmakers, suggesting the practice should only be used as a last resort.


npr--2020-05-28--Pennsylvania Democrats Say They Weren't Told When GOP Member Tested Positive

Pennsylvania Democrats Say They Were n't Told When GOP Member Tested Positive Even though the Pennsylvania House approved rules changes in March to allow nearly all members to vote remotely , some lawmakers have returned to the Capitol in Harrisburg to conduct business .
One of them , Republican state Rep. Andrew Lewis , said Wednesday that he was tested for the coronavirus on May 18 and his test came back positive on May 20 .
He says his last day working in the state Capitol was May 14 .
The announcement raised questions about how many other lawmakers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tested and who was notified about a potential risk .
Some Democratic lawmakers wrote on Twitter that they were n't notified about Lewis 's case until Wednesday , a week after he got his test results back .
In a statement , Democratic Leader Frank Dermody criticized House Republicans for not sharing the information more broadly .
`` What makes this situation even more galling is that some House members , a vocal few , have attempted to make a virtue out of not wearing a mask when in close proximity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
This attitude shows a fundamental lack of respect for fellow lawmakers , our staff and our families back home .
On their behalf , we are demanding more answers about this than we 've received thus far . ''
Later Wednesday evening , a video posted to Facebook by state Rep. Brian Sims made its way around social media and state Rep. Kevin Boyle called on Attorney General Josh Shapiro to investigate .
In his statement , Lewis said he experienced mild symptoms , a fever that lasted about 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has recovered and completed a quarantine period , which he implied began when he was exposed to the coronavirus and not when he was diagnosed with it .
In a video message on Wednesday , Lewis said he wore a mask and did n't shake any hands on May 14 — which he said was his last day in the Capitol .
`` It 's pretty much a ghost town at the Capitol right now — the cafeteria 's closed — so I actually only interacted with a handful of folks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lewis said in a Facebook livestream video .
Lewis said two state lawmakers who sit near him were both notified , as were others he had contact with on May 14 .
During the coronavirus pandemic , Republican lawmakers , who control the Pennsylvania House and Senate , have tried to push Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf to allow more businesses to reopen .
Wolf on May 19 vetoed a bill that would have required him to allow car dealers , barbers , hairdressers , messenger services , pet groomers and manufacturing @ @ @ @ @

Pennsylvania Democrats Say They Weren't Told When GOP Member Tested Positive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Rourke/AP Matt Rourke/AP
Even though the Pennsylvania House approved rules changes in March to allow nearly all members to vote remotely, some lawmakers have returned to the Capitol in Harrisburg to conduct business.
One of them, Republican state Rep. Andrew Lewis, said Wednesday that he was tested for the coronavirus on May 18 and his test came back positive on May 20. He says his last day working in the state Capitol was May 14.
The announcement raised questions about how many other lawmakers were exposed to the coronavirus, whether they were tested and who was notified about a potential risk.
Some Democratic lawmakers wrote on Twitter that they weren't notified about Lewis's case until Wednesday, a week after he got his test results back. In a statement, Democratic Leader Frank Dermody criticized House Republicans for not sharing the information more broadly.
"What makes this situation even more galling is that some House members, a vocal few, have attempted to make a virtue out of not wearing a mask when in close proximity to others," Dermody said.
"...This attitude shows a fundamental lack of respect for fellow lawmakers, our staff and our families back home. On their behalf, we are demanding more answers about this than we've received thus far."
Later Wednesday evening, a video posted to Facebook by state Rep. Brian Sims made its way around social media and state Rep. Kevin Boyle called on Attorney General Josh Shapiro to investigate.
In his statement, Lewis said he experienced mild symptoms, a fever that lasted about 24 hours, and a brief cough. He said he has recovered and completed a quarantine period, which he implied began when he was exposed to the coronavirus and not when he was diagnosed with it.
In a video message on Wednesday, Lewis said he wore a mask and didn't shake any hands on May 14 — which he said was his last day in the Capitol.
"It's pretty much a ghost town at the Capitol right now — the cafeteria's closed — so I actually only interacted with a handful of folks, like maybe four or five people," Lewis said in a Facebook livestream video.
Lewis said two state lawmakers who sit near him were both notified, as were others he had contact with on May 14.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Republican lawmakers, who control the Pennsylvania House and Senate, have tried to push Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to allow more businesses to reopen. Wolf on May 19 vetoed a bill that would have required him to allow car dealers, barbers, hairdressers, messenger services, pet groomers and manufacturing operations to open statewide.