npr--2020-02-21--Trump Administration Targets Your 'Warrant-Proof' Encrypted Messages

The Trump administration has revived the debate over `` end-to-end encryption '' — systems so secure that the tech companies themselves are n't able to read the messages , even when police present them with a warrant .
`` It is hard to overstate how perilous this is , '' U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a speech last fall .
`` By enabling dangerous criminals to cloak their communications and activities behind an essentially impenetrable digital shield , the deployment of warrant-proof encryption is already imposing huge costs on society . ''
Barr has been concerned about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more vocal recently as encryption goes mainstream .
It 's now built into popular services such as Skype and WhatsApp , and even Facebook may soon be encrypted .
Republican senator and Trump ally Lindsey Graham recently floated legislation that would strip tech companies of their liability protection under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act unless they comply with as-of-yet undefined `` best practices . ''
Riana Pfefferkorn , at Stanford University 's Center for Internet and Society , says it 's a safe bet the best practices would include a requirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content .
`` The bill as it 's drafted does a bizarre and alarming end run around normal legislative or even agency rule-making processes , '' Pfefferkorn says , giving the attorney general `` the keys for deciding what rules apply on the Internet . ''
Justice Department officials say all they want is a reasonable accommodation for investigators with court orders , similar to the federal law that requires phone companies to make it technically feasible for police to tap phone calls .
Recent headlines have focused on the FBI 's disputes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused investigators ' requests to `` break into '' iPhones recovered from high-profile terrorism attacks .
But those situations are relatively rare .
In practice , it 's local law enforcement that more often finds itself frustrated by encryption .
`` It comes into play at least once or twice every single week , '' says Capt .
Clay Anderson , who supervises investigations at the Sheriff 's Office in Humphreys County , Tenn. '' Human trafficking and sexual-exploitation-of-minor cases — those are very frequent , '' Anderson says , `` and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you ca n't get past encryption . ''
There 's often little point in getting a warrant for a sexual predator 's digital messages , he says , because the messaging company is n't able to produce anything .
If they could get those communications , he says , it would be easier to build cases for the prosecution .
`` Who needs that kind of encryption , other than maybe the military ? ''
he asks .
`` We do n't even — in law enforcement — use encryption like that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want it .
He 's the software developer who co-created the encryption system used in WhatsApp and other systems .
`` People 's expectations when they send someone a message is that that message is viewable by themselves and the intended recipient , '' he says .
`` And people are always very disappointed when that turns out to not be true . ''
Marlinspike runs Signal , a nonprofit messaging app popular with security-conscious users such as journalists and government officials .
He says they rarely get served with warrants anymore because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to get .
`` That 's the whole point , '' he says .
`` Not even we , the creators of the software or the operators of the service , are capable of inspecting message content . ''
It 's an anti-government , anti-Big Brother attitude that 's common in the tech world , and it was challenged recently by Darrin Jones , assistant director of the FBI 's Information Technology Infrastructure Division , at a recent panel discussion with privacy experts .
`` Most of these folks have never been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime scene , '' he said .
`` And if that 's not part of your experience , it 's easy to make this a philosophical debate . ''
But the privacy activists also have a technological argument against making encrypted messages available to police : It would require companies to create a secret method for decrypting users ' messages — a `` back door , '' as some call it — which could end up being exploited by malicious hackers .
Marlinspike says systems such as Signal are secure because they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means they do n't have any secret programming code where one might hide a back door .
`` I think a lot of people might not expect [ transparency ] to be a good thing for privacy , '' he says .
But because the software is open source , that `` allows experts to review that and make sure there are no vulnerabilities . ''
One of those experts is Matthew Green , associate professor at Johns Hopkins University 's Information Security Institute .
`` The crypto that 's in Signal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he says .
`` There 's no such thing as a perfect piece of software , but it 's really well written , and the authors of Signal have thought through a lot of the important security problems . ''
If even part of the app 's software were closed , to conceal a back door for police warrants , independent experts like Green would n't be able to vouch for the system 's security with the same confidence .
But law enforcement officials remain dubious that a secure back door ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` To suggest that this is not possible , I just ca n't buy that , '' says the FBI 's Jones .
He says the security of everyday encryption has to be weighed against the cost to public safety .
`` [ It offers ] some small incremental increase in security in my messaging or my Amazon shopping list , but I have to accept the premise that there are going to be people that are victims ?
No , I ca n't go there . ''

Trump Administration Targets Your 'Warrant-Proof' Encrypted Messages
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The Trump administration has revived the debate over "end-to-end encryption" — systems so secure that the tech companies themselves aren't able to read the messages, even when police present them with a warrant.
"It is hard to overstate how perilous this is," U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a speech last fall. "By enabling dangerous criminals to cloak their communications and activities behind an essentially impenetrable digital shield, the deployment of warrant-proof encryption is already imposing huge costs on society."
Barr has been concerned about this for years, but he has become more vocal recently as encryption goes mainstream. It's now built into popular services such as Skype and WhatsApp, and even Facebook may soon be encrypted.
Republican senator and Trump ally Lindsey Graham recently floated legislation that would strip tech companies of their liability protection under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act unless they comply with as-of-yet undefined "best practices."
Riana Pfefferkorn, at Stanford University's Center for Internet and Society, says it's a safe bet the best practices would include a requirement that law enforcement get access to encrypted content.
"The bill as it's drafted does a bizarre and alarming end run around normal legislative or even agency rule-making processes," Pfefferkorn says, giving the attorney general "the keys for deciding what rules apply on the Internet."
Justice Department officials say all they want is a reasonable accommodation for investigators with court orders, similar to the federal law that requires phone companies to make it technically feasible for police to tap phone calls.
Recent headlines have focused on the FBI's disputes over encryption with Apple, which has refused investigators' requests to "break into" iPhones recovered from high-profile terrorism attacks. But those situations are relatively rare. In practice, it's local law enforcement that more often finds itself frustrated by encryption.
"It comes into play at least once or twice every single week," says Capt. Clay Anderson, who supervises investigations at the Sheriff's Office in Humphreys County, Tenn.
Technology Apple Declines DOJ Request To Unlock Pensacola Gunman's Phones Apple Declines DOJ Request To Unlock Pensacola Gunman's Phones Listen · 3:33 3:33
"Human trafficking and sexual-exploitation-of-minor cases — those are very frequent," Anderson says, "and in those cases you run into dead ends because you can't get past encryption."
There's often little point in getting a warrant for a sexual predator's digital messages, he says, because the messaging company isn't able to produce anything. If they could get those communications, he says, it would be easier to build cases for the prosecution.
"Who needs that kind of encryption, other than maybe the military?" he asks. "We don't even — in law enforcement — use encryption like that."
Moxie Marlinspike thinks regular people want it. He's the software developer who co-created the encryption system used in WhatsApp and other systems.
"People's expectations when they send someone a message is that that message is viewable by themselves and the intended recipient," he says. "And people are always very disappointed when that turns out to not be true."
Marlinspike runs Signal, a nonprofit messaging app popular with security-conscious users such as journalists and government officials. He says they rarely get served with warrants anymore because law enforcement agencies have learned there's nothing to get.
"That's the whole point," he says. "Not even we, the creators of the software or the operators of the service, are capable of inspecting message content."
It's an anti-government, anti-Big Brother attitude that's common in the tech world, and it was challenged recently by Darrin Jones, assistant director of the FBI's Information Technology Infrastructure Division, at a recent panel discussion with privacy experts.
"Most of these folks have never been a victim and have never worked a crime scene," he said. "And if that's not part of your experience, it's easy to make this a philosophical debate."
But the privacy activists also have a technological argument against making encrypted messages available to police: It would require companies to create a secret method for decrypting users' messages — a "back door," as some call it — which could end up being exploited by malicious hackers.
Marlinspike says systems such as Signal are secure because they're "open source" software, which means they don't have any secret programming code where one might hide a back door.
"I think a lot of people might not expect [transparency] to be a good thing for privacy," he says. But because the software is open source, that "allows experts to review that and make sure there are no vulnerabilities."
One of those experts is Matthew Green, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University's Information Security Institute. "The crypto that's in Signal is really the best stuff out there," he says. "There's no such thing as a perfect piece of software, but it's really well written, and the authors of Signal have thought through a lot of the important security problems."
If even part of the app's software were closed, to conceal a back door for police warrants, independent experts like Green wouldn't be able to vouch for the system's security with the same confidence.
But law enforcement officials remain dubious that a secure back door can't be created for their warrant requests.
"To suggest that this is not possible, I just can't buy that," says the FBI's Jones.
He says the security of everyday encryption has to be weighed against the cost to public safety.
"[It offers] some small incremental increase in security in my messaging or my Amazon shopping list, but I have to accept the premise that there are going to be people that are victims? No, I can't go there."


npr--2020-02-21--Stacey Abrams Spearheads 'Fair Fight,' A Campaign Against Voter Suppression

A few dozen volunteers are spending a Saturday morning in a hotel conference room in Macon , Ga. , for a boot camp of sorts on fighting voter suppression .
`` We are walking into a year that 's going to be exciting , a little bit stressful , '' explains Hillary Holley , organizing director for Fair Fight Action .
The group is waging a campaign against voter suppression in the 2020 election .
`` We 're gon na be working a lot , but we 're ready for it , '' she says .
Fair Fight is spearheaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained national attention in 2018 after losing a close race for governor in an election clouded by allegations of voter suppression .
`` This is not a speech of concession , '' she said at the time , after losing by fewer than 55,000 votes to Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp .
`` Concession means to acknowledge an action is right , true or proper . ''
Abrams , a former minority leader in the Georgia House , broke new ground with her gubernatorial campaign , driving up the share of Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated .
There was record turnout for a midterm election but also hours-long waits at some polls , election server security breaches and allegations that strict adherence on signature matches dampened participation .
Abrams says the defeat galvanized her to launch Fair Fight .
`` In the wake of the election , my mission was to figure out what work could I do , even if I did n't have the title of governor , '' Abrams says .
`` What work could I do to enhance or protect our democracy ?
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country . ''
Participants at the Fair Fight voter suppression workshop call themselves Democracy Warriors .
`` Every single vote counts , '' says Elaine Morgan Johnson , a poll worker from Macon .
She 's motivated to be here in part because her sister was removed from Georgia 's voter rolls under a mass purge of people who had not voted since 2012 or responded to mailed notices from election officials .
Johnson thinks it 's part of a broader strategy to curtail voting rights .
`` Reducing their opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Johnson says .
`` It 's depressing .
And that 's why I 'm just trying to be active in any way that I can .
My parents worked for civil rights .
And we 're not for going backwards . ''
Fair Fight is training grassroots advocates such as Johnson , lobbying for new election laws and arguing in federal court that Georgia 's election system is unconstitutional .
Abrams says long lines , precinct closures and purging voter rolls are all barriers that disproportionately impact minority voters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1960s images of billy clubs and hoses and dogs barking — aggressive interference , '' Abrams says .
`` But in the 21st century , voter suppression looks like administrative errors .
It looks like user error .
It looks like mistakes .
But it is just as intentional and just as insidious . ''
Georgia 's current secretary of state , Republican Brad Raffensperger , acknowledges that there were some problems because of the high voter turnout in 2018 .
And he 's urging election administrators to be ready for even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and what 's expected to be a hotly contested Senate race in Georgia .
`` No one wants to stand in line for , you know , 30 minutes , an hour .
Things like that , '' says Raffensperger .
`` So we want our election officials to be prepared for big turnout . ''
He rejects the notion that cleaning up voter rolls is an attempt to gain partisan advantage .
`` No , what we 're trying to do is make sure that the elections are clean , fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is something that has been going on in Georgia long before Republicans were in charge in Georgia . ''
And courts have upheld the state 's authority to purge the voter lists after Fair Fight sued , but other election-related lawsuits are pending .
`` Georgia is ground zero for election law , '' says attorney Jake Evans , chairman of the Georgia chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association .
Evans says the focus is here because Georgia is becoming competitive .
`` The reality is , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of transplants coming in from the West Coast and in the Northeast .
And there 's also a changing demographic , '' Evans says .
`` So I think it is time for Republicans to grow the tent .
But I definitely think it 's woke up a lot of Republicans in Georgia . ''
He says Abrams ' success is drawing attention .
`` It is undoubtably providing her a stream of relevancy , '' Evans says .
`` I think she really believes voter suppression is happening and going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state 's office , I just do n't , I do n't think that 's true . ''
Now Abrams is expanding Fair Fight 's reach in hopes of putting other states in play for Democrats .
`` I believe when there is a fair fight , when people are not only given the ostensible right to vote , but the right to vote is made real , we will win more and more elections , '' Abrams says .
She recently traveled to Florida for a town hall with college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect their vote — from verifying voter registration to learning how to ask for a provisional ballot if you 're turned away at the polls .
Political scientist Andra Gillespie of Emory University says a lot of national groups are doing voting rights work , but Fair Fight stands out because it has been able to use the energy around Abram 's electoral defeat to try to reap benefits for other Democrats in this election cycle .
`` Her story was compelling .
She got a lot of attention by being the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major party for a gubernatorial seat , '' Gillespie says .
`` She was really smart and , you know , struck while the iron was hot in order to put that type of organization together . ''
Fair Fight 's political action committee is raising millions of dollars , including a $ 5 million contribution from Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg .
And it 's pumping some of that money into battleground states early .
Fair Fight CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo says the idea is to beef up the Democratic ground game around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission of making sure our full citizenry can vote , '' Groh-Wargo says .
`` We also happen to think that when all Americans are able to vote , Democrats win . ''
She says they 've invested more than $ 1 million and sent dozens of staffers into 18 states to ramp up Democratic voting rights infrastructure — things such as establishing voter hotlines and creating voter protection teams to be in place for the primaries so they can prepare for the general election .
`` Gathering information and data .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election administrators struggle with ?
What support are they going to need ? ''
she explains .
`` All of that learning was why we were so eager to make sure there were folks on the ground in advance of the primaries . ''
Critics say Fair Fight is a vehicle for Abrams ' political aspirations .
She counters that she has been doing civil rights work her entire career but acknowledges her interest in higher office , including the presidency .
`` I see myself as a warrior for democracy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also someone who has been training my entire life to do more . ''
As for this year 's race , Abrams has n't endorsed any of the Democratic presidential candidates but says she 'll welcome a phone call from the eventual nominee when that person is looking for a running mate .

Stacey Abrams Spearheads 'Fair Fight,' A Campaign Against Voter Suppression
Enlarge this image toggle caption Debbie Elliott/NPR Debbie Elliott/NPR
A few dozen volunteers are spending a Saturday morning in a hotel conference room in Macon, Ga., for a boot camp of sorts on fighting voter suppression.
"We are walking into a year that's going to be exciting, a little bit stressful," explains Hillary Holley, organizing director for Fair Fight Action. The group is waging a campaign against voter suppression in the 2020 election.
"We're gonna be working a lot, but we're ready for it," she says.
Politics American Distrust Of The Voting Process Is Widespread, NPR Poll Finds American Distrust Of The Voting Process Is Widespread, NPR Poll Finds Listen · 4:29 4:29
Fair Fight is spearheaded by Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, who gained national attention in 2018 after losing a close race for governor in an election clouded by allegations of voter suppression.
"This is not a speech of concession," she said at the time, after losing by fewer than 55,000 votes to Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp. "Concession means to acknowledge an action is right, true or proper."
Abrams, a former minority leader in the Georgia House, broke new ground with her gubernatorial campaign, driving up the share of Democratic voters in a state where Republicans have dominated.
There was record turnout for a midterm election but also hours-long waits at some polls, election server security breaches and allegations that strict adherence on signature matches dampened participation.
Abrams says the defeat galvanized her to launch Fair Fight.
"In the wake of the election, my mission was to figure out what work could I do, even if I didn't have the title of governor," Abrams says. "What work could I do to enhance or protect our democracy? Because voting rights is the pinnacle of power in our country."
Politics After Massive Voter Roll Purge, Georgia Restores Thousands Of Voters After Massive Voter Roll Purge, Georgia Restores Thousands Of Voters Listen · 6:27 6:27
Participants at the Fair Fight voter suppression workshop call themselves Democracy Warriors.
"Every single vote counts," says Elaine Morgan Johnson, a poll worker from Macon.
She's motivated to be here in part because her sister was removed from Georgia's voter rolls under a mass purge of people who had not voted since 2012 or responded to mailed notices from election officials.
Johnson thinks it's part of a broader strategy to curtail voting rights.
"Reducing their opposition; don't want to lose power," Johnson says. "It's depressing. And that's why I'm just trying to be active in any way that I can. My parents worked for civil rights. And we're not for going backwards."
Fair Fight is training grassroots advocates such as Johnson, lobbying for new election laws and arguing in federal court that Georgia's election system is unconstitutional. Abrams says long lines, precinct closures and purging voter rolls are all barriers that disproportionately impact minority voters.
"Most of us understand voter suppression as the 1960s images of billy clubs and hoses and dogs barking — aggressive interference," Abrams says. "But in the 21st century, voter suppression looks like administrative errors. It looks like user error. It looks like mistakes. But it is just as intentional and just as insidious."
Georgia's current secretary of state, Republican Brad Raffensperger, acknowledges that there were some problems because of the high voter turnout in 2018. And he's urging election administrators to be ready for even higher turnout this year with the presidential election and what's expected to be a hotly contested Senate race in Georgia.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Amis/AP John Amis/AP
"No one wants to stand in line for, you know, 30 minutes, an hour. Things like that," says Raffensperger. "So we want our election officials to be prepared for big turnout."
He rejects the notion that cleaning up voter rolls is an attempt to gain partisan advantage.
"No, what we're trying to do is make sure that the elections are clean, fair and accurate," Raffensperger says. "This is something that has been going on in Georgia long before Republicans were in charge in Georgia."
And courts have upheld the state's authority to purge the voter lists after Fair Fight sued, but other election-related lawsuits are pending.
"Georgia is ground zero for election law," says attorney Jake Evans, chairman of the Georgia chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association.
Evans says the focus is here because Georgia is becoming competitive.
"The reality is, you know, Georgia is changing, and there's a lot of transplants coming in from the West Coast and in the Northeast. And there's also a changing demographic," Evans says. "So I think it is time for Republicans to grow the tent. But I definitely think it's woke up a lot of Republicans in Georgia."
He says Abrams' success is drawing attention.
"It is undoubtably providing her a stream of relevancy," Evans says. "I think she really believes voter suppression is happening and going on. Knowing the people in the secretary of state's office, I just don't, I don't think that's true."
Now Abrams is expanding Fair Fight's reach in hopes of putting other states in play for Democrats.
"I believe when there is a fair fight, when people are not only given the ostensible right to vote, but the right to vote is made real, we will win more and more elections," Abrams says.
She recently traveled to Florida for a town hall with college students to talk about ways they could protect their vote — from verifying voter registration to learning how to ask for a provisional ballot if you're turned away at the polls.
Political scientist Andra Gillespie of Emory University says a lot of national groups are doing voting rights work, but Fair Fight stands out because it has been able to use the energy around Abram's electoral defeat to try to reap benefits for other Democrats in this election cycle.
Politics Chief Election Officials In Many States Are Partisan, Baffling Experts Chief Election Officials In Many States Are Partisan, Baffling Experts Listen · 3:48 3:48
"Her story was compelling. She got a lot of attention by being the first black woman to be nominated by a major party for a gubernatorial seat," Gillespie says. "She was really smart and, you know, struck while the iron was hot in order to put that type of organization together."
Fair Fight's political action committee is raising millions of dollars, including a $5 million contribution from Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg.
And it's pumping some of that money into battleground states early. Fair Fight CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo says the idea is to beef up the Democratic ground game around voting.
"We are in the mission of making sure our full citizenry can vote," Groh-Wargo says. "We also happen to think that when all Americans are able to vote, Democrats win."
She says they've invested more than $1 million and sent dozens of staffers into 18 states to ramp up Democratic voting rights infrastructure — things such as establishing voter hotlines and creating voter protection teams to be in place for the primaries so they can prepare for the general election.
"Gathering information and data. What do voters struggle with? What do election administrators struggle with? What support are they going to need?" she explains. "All of that learning was why we were so eager to make sure there were folks on the ground in advance of the primaries."
Critics say Fair Fight is a vehicle for Abrams' political aspirations. She counters that she has been doing civil rights work her entire career but acknowledges her interest in higher office, including the presidency.
"I see myself as a warrior for democracy," Abrams says. "But I'm also someone who has been training my entire life to do more."
As for this year's race, Abrams hasn't endorsed any of the Democratic presidential candidates but says she'll welcome a phone call from the eventual nominee when that person is looking for a running mate.


npr--2020-02-21--Coronavirus Found In China Prisons, As Cases Spike In South Korea

Coronavirus Found In China Prisons , As Cases Spike In South Korea China reported 889 new cases of novel coronavirus infection on Friday , including more than 200 from a prison , and an additional 118 deaths – all but three in the province of Hubei , bringing the total deaths in the country to more than 2,200 .
The latest count came as South Korea , with the highest number of cases outside China , reported another jump in infections to 204 .
And residents clashed with police in a central Ukrainian town where evacuees from Wuhan , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived for a two-week quarantine .
The numbers from China — which come 24 hours after the daily new case count there reached its lowest point in weeks — reflect a more general downward trend .
Cumulative new cases in China are now at 75,567 .
That figure includes people who have recovered , as well as those who have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
According to the latest World Health Organization situation report , there have been another 1,073 confirmed cases in 26 other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , the government in China 's eastern province of Shandong said that a prison guard at Rencheng jail in Jining , a city of eight million , had shown COVID-19 symptoms in early February and that subsequently more than 2,000 inmates and staff were tested , with 200 prisoners and seven officers coming back positive .
Infections were also reported at three prisons in Hubei province , according to the South China Morning Post .
In South Korea , officials on Thursday said the number of cases had doubled in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 100 cases , bringing the total there to 204 .
Among those infected were scores of members of the religious sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus .
The infection was traced to a 61-year-old woman who apparently spread the virus to congregants as she attended church services before being diagnosed .
Meanwhile , in the central Ukrainian town of Novi Sanzhary , where coronavirus evacuees arrived from China , angry residents chanted `` Shame on you !
`` , scuffled with police and hurled stones at six buses carrying masked passengers on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents blocked a road to a medical facility where the evacuees were to be housed .
Authorities said the group , which included 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals , had been screened for the virus before being allowed to fly from Wuhan , China , the disease epicenter .
None had tested positive or shown signs of COVID-19 , officials insisted .
Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk , Health Minister Zoriana Skaletska and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov traveled to Novi Sanzhary to talk to the residents .
When Avakov pointed out that none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person replied `` So far , '' according to BBC .
`` Is n't there any other place in Ukraine ... that is located in more or less remote villages or in far-off areas where there is no threat to population ? ''
another resident , Yuriy Dzyubenko , was quoted by Reuters as saying .
President Volodymr Zelenskiy called for calm and warned against the danger of `` forgetting that we are all human . ''
NPR 's Jason Beaubien in Hong Kong , Emily Feng in Beijing and Anthony Kuhn in @ @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus Found In China Prisons, As Cases Spike In South Korea
Enlarge this image toggle caption Maksym Mykhailyk/AFP via Getty Images Maksym Mykhailyk/AFP via Getty Images
China reported 889 new cases of novel coronavirus infection on Friday, including more than 200 from a prison, and an additional 118 deaths – all but three in the province of Hubei, bringing the total deaths in the country to more than 2,200.
The latest count came as South Korea, with the highest number of cases outside China, reported another jump in infections to 204.
And residents clashed with police in a central Ukrainian town where evacuees from Wuhan, the Chinese province where the epidemic began, arrived for a two-week quarantine.
The numbers from China, which come 24 hours after the daily new case count there reached its lowest point in weeks, reflect a more general downward trend.
Cumulative new cases in China are now at 75,567. That figure includes people who have recovered, as well as those who have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
According to the latest World Health Organization situation report, there have been another 1,073 confirmed cases in 26 other countries, and an additional eight deaths.
On Thursday, the government in China's eastern province of Shandong said that a prison guard at Rencheng jail in Jining, a city of 8 million, had shown COVID-19 symptoms in early February and that subsequently more than 2,000 inmates and staff were tested, with 200 prisoners and seven officers coming back positive.
#Ucrania #Coronavirus #COVID19 ☣
Los vecinos del distrito de Novi Sanzhary se enfrentan a la policía porque el Gobierno ha decidido alojar en el hospital local a 72 repatriados de China
Conociendo la tasa de contagio y la expansión del virus se puede entender su temor. pic.twitter.com/dwyIgt4uQW — € FINANZAS TIME $ (@Finanzas_Time) February 21, 2020
Infections were also reported at three prisons in Hubei province, according to the South China Morning Post.
Outside China, rising infection numbers and civil unrest
In South Korea, officials on Thursday said the number of cases had doubled in a 24-hour period. On Friday they confirmed another 100 cases, bringing the total there to 204.
Among those infected were scores of members of the religious sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The infection was traced to a 61-year-old woman who apparently spread the virus as she attended church services before being diagnosed.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Meanwhile, in the central Ukrainian town of Novi Sanzhary, where coronavirus evacuees arrived from China, angry residents chanted "Shame on you," scuffled with police and hurled stones at six buses carrying masked passengers on their way to a two-week quarantine. The residents blocked a road to a medical facility where the evacuees were to be housed.
Authorities said the group, which included 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals, had been screened for the virus before being allowed to fly from Wuhan, China, the disease epicenter. None had tested positive or shown signs of COVID-19, officials insisted.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, Health Minister Zoriana Skaletska and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov traveled to Novi Sanzhary to talk to the residents.
When Avakov pointed out that none of the evacuees was infected, one person replied "so far," according to BBC.
"Isn't there any other place in Ukraine ... that is located in more or less remote villages or in far-off areas where there is no threat to population?" another resident, Yuriy Dzyubenko, was quoted by Reuters as saying.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for calm and warned against the danger of "forgetting that we are all human."
NPR's Jason Beaubien in Hong Kong, Emily Feng in Beijing and Anthony Kuhn in Seoul contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-20--Tracking The Money Race Behind The Presidential Campaign

Tracking The Money Race Behind The Presidential Campaign Raising money is n't just a necessity for candidates hoping to make it through the long and expensive presidential primary process — it 's a way to measure candidates ' credibility and staying power in a crowded field .
Democrats are dealing with their largest primary pool in at least 40 years , and how they fare in raking in cash could separate the candidates in the pack .
Here are the financial figures that the candidates , including President Trump , have reported to the Federal Election Commission , so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that other committees , such as the Republican National Committee and the Trump Victory Committee , have transferred to him .
These numbers reflect the total amount raised through the fourth quarter of 2019 .
This includes , among other sources , money raised from individual contributions and money transferred from other campaign accounts , such as a candidate 's past Senate or House campaign : There are also more detailed fundraising metrics that give the public an idea about the priorities of the candidates and how they run their campaigns .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from corporate political action committees .
While these committees have allowed businesses and trade groups in the past to funnel huge amounts of cash to eager candidates , Democrats have become increasingly worried about the appearance of businesses having undue influence over the political process .
Campaigns are also making a point of touting the amount they have raised from small donors ( those who give less than $ 200 ) .
These donors , who do n't have to disclose their names or information , can represent the measure of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , does n't always translate to primary delegates — as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders learned during his unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2016 — but it certainly gives candidates staying power .
Candidates are required to file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission through 2019 and then will switch to monthly reports if they 've raised or spent at least $ 100,000 .
Total money raised for each candidate includes the following : • Individual contributions : Donations from individuals — capped at $ 2,800 per donor for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns often advertise and is broken down into supporters who have given more than $ 200 and those who have given $ 200 or less .
• PACs and political committees : Transfers to the campaign from political action committees or another political committee , such as a candidate 's previous campaign from a different run for office .
• Self-funding , loans and other : Can include refunds , investments , etc .
This page will be updated as more fundraising numbers become available .
Ca n't see the graphics in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was originally published on April 16 , 2019 .

Tracking The Money Race Behind The Presidential Primary Campaign
Editor's Note on June 4: We're no longer updating this page. For the latest on the money race between President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden, go here.
Raising money isn't just a necessity for presidential candidates — it can also be a way to measure candidates' credibility and staying power.
Though Democrats had their largest primary pool in at least 40 years, a candidate who never cracked the top tier of fundraising during that contest ended up on top. And a candidate who spent a billion dollars had virtually nothing to show for it.
Here are the financial figures that the candidates including President Trump and the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, have reported to the Federal Election Commission, so far. The president's totals include money that other committees, such as the Republican National Committee and the Trump Victory Committee, have transferred to him.
First, here's how Biden and Trump stack up:
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There are also more detailed fundraising metrics that give the public an idea about the priorities of the candidates and how they have run their campaigns.
Democrats have widely rejected, for example, support from corporate political action committees. While these committees have allowed businesses and trade groups in the past to funnel huge amounts of cash to eager candidates, Democrats have become increasingly worried about the appearance of businesses having undue influence over the political process.
Campaigns also make a point of touting the amount they have raised from small donors (those who give less than $200). These donors, who don't have to disclose their names or information, can represent the measure of a candidate's grassroots support. That, of course, doesn't always translate to primary delegates — as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren learned during their unsuccessful — but it certainly gives candidates staying power.
And of course, much of the funding for Democrats during the 2020 primary came from the candidates themselves. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg contributed more than $1 billion to his own bid for president, but dropped out the day after Super Tuesday without winning a single primary.
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Candidates were required to file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission through 2019 and then switched to monthly reports in 2020.
Total money raised for each candidate includes the following:
Individual contributions: Donations from individuals — capped at $2,800 per donor for the primaries. This is the top-line number campaigns often advertise and is broken down into supporters who have given more than $200 and those who have given $200 or less.
Donations from individuals — capped at $2,800 per donor for the primaries. This is the top-line number campaigns often advertise and is broken down into supporters who have given more than $200 and those who have given $200 or less. PACs and political committees: Transfers to the campaign from political action committees or another political committee, such as a candidate's previous campaign from a different run for office.
Transfers to the campaign from political action committees or another political committee, such as a candidate's previous campaign from a different run for office. Self-funding, loans and other: Can include refunds, investments, etc.
This page will be updated as more fundraising numbers become available.
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Can't see the graphics in this story? Click here.
This story was originally published on April 16, 2019.


npr--2020-02-20--Whiteout Conditions Lead To 140-Vehicle Pileup Near Montreal

Snow blowing across Montreal 's St. Lawrence River contributed to a massive 140-vehicle crash in Canada , authorities say .
The pileup happened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday along Highway 15 , which runs parallel to the river , just south of Montreal .
Two people were killed and about 29 were injured , police say .
According to the Montreal Gazette , crews had to cut motorists out of their cars and shuttle buses took about 150 people to a community center where their injuries were evaluated .
Most of the vehicles had to be towed .
Police say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mile , and CTV News reports the highway was closed in both directions for more than 3 miles .
The roadway re-opened early Thursday morning .
Snow crews had cleared the roads just an hour before the crash , Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel said during a Wednesday news conference .
`` People were driving , [ there were ] strong winds ... and , suddenly , you could n't see anything , '' Bonnardel said .
`` And then , well , the pileup started . ''
Tourists from upstate New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like something out of a movie .
Spencer Jacob told the TV station they pulled over because of poor conditions .
Their car was clipped and an ambulance came to help .
`` Another car came down and just flew into the back of the ambulance , '' Jacob said .
`` That blocked up two lanes and then another 18-wheeler came and just slammed into that car .
`` That 's when we were like 'this is bad , ' and we need to get out of the car .
Our doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to get out of the windows and run up onto the snowbank and we were just watching . ''
Bonnardel said that area of Highway 15 is usually safe , with no snow-related fatalities reported in at least 20 years , but teams will study the corridor to see if any changes are needed to prevent future crashes .
Initially , police estimated nearly 200 vehicles were involved , but that was later downgraded .

Whiteout Conditions Lead To 140-Vehicle Pileup Near Montreal
Media no longer available
Snow blowing across Montreal's St. Lawrence River contributed to a massive 140-vehicle crash in Canada, authorities say.
The pileup happened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday along Highway 15, which runs parallel to the river, just south of Montreal.
Two people were killed and about 29 were injured, police say.
According to the Montreal Gazette, crews had to cut motorists out of their cars and shuttle buses took about 150 people to a community center where their injuries were evaluated. Most of the vehicles had to be towed.
Police say the scene spread out over nearly two-thirds of a mile, and CTV News reports the highway was closed in both directions for more than 3 miles. The roadway re-opened early Thursday morning.
Snow crews had cleared the roads just an hour before the crash, Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel said during a Wednesday news conference.
"People were driving, [there were] strong winds ... and, suddenly, you couldn't see anything,'' Bonnardel said. "And then, well, the pileup started.''
Tourists from upstate New York told CTV News the scene was like something out of a movie.
Spencer Jacob told the TV station they pulled over because of poor conditions. Their car was clipped and an ambulance came to help.
"Another car came down and just flew into the back of the ambulance," Jacob said. "That blocked up two lanes and then another 18-wheeler came and just slammed into that car.
"That's when we were like 'this is bad,' and we need to get out of the car. Our doors were pressed against the snow so we had to get out of the windows and run up onto the snowbank and we were just watching."
Bonnardel said that area of Highway 15 is usually safe, with no snow-related fatalities reported in at least 20 years, but teams will study the corridor to see if any changes are needed to prevent future crashes.
Initially, police estimated nearly 200 vehicles were involved, but that was later downgraded.


npr--2020-02-20--Evacuated For COVID-19 Scare, Pennsylvania Man Reflects On Life After Quarantine

Evacuated For COVID-19 Scare , Pennsylvania Man Reflects On Life After Quarantine The first Americans quarantined after evacuation from Wuhan , China , the center of this winter 's coronavirus outbreak , are now beginning to settle back into normal routines .
For 24-year-old Daniel Wethli , a history buff who majored in philosophy as an undergrad , leaving Wuhan last month at the urging of the U.S. State Department was bittersweet .
His family was glad to hear he was safe and headed home as the virus spread through the city he 'd moved to as a Fulbright scholar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd been to China on prior academic trips and takes delight in the language , the history , and the people he 's met there , felt like he was just getting started in his studies .
`` I just loved Wuhan , '' Wethli tells NPR .
`` It 's probably my favorite [ of the cities ] that I 've been to in China . ''
The historical museums in Wuhan are beautiful , he discovered .
`` The 1911 Revolution Museum is gorgeous and massive . ''
He loved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found his new neighbors to be `` very friendly , and very open to meeting new people . ''
He was in Wuhan just over a month when the large urban metropolis was locked down .
`` It was just eerily silent , '' Wethli says .
`` You could hear the wind — no horns beeping , no stores open .
It was very strange to see a city built for that many people completely silent . ''
In the days before the city 's quarantine , Wethli initially figured worries about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hard to tell how serious it really was . ''
But , as more cases and news emerged , he spent more time in his dorm room , heading out once a day to see which stores were open , and to stock up on groceries .
Like others in the city , he started wearing a face mask , and washing his hands a lot .
Wethli was at the Wuhan Walmart on Jan. 23 when the U.S. embassy called and told him of the plan to evacuate Americans from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch the flight they 'd arranged for several days later , so he did .
Along with nearly 200 other Americans , Wethli spent about two weeks in quarantine at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California .
It was comfortable , he says , with `` hotel-like rooms , a fridge , TV and microwave . ''
He enjoyed the people he met — including an airline pilot , a music producer and a theme park designer .
Some of those quarantined taught classes , like art and Zumba , to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the group bonded and pledged to stay in touch after quarantine , Wethli was eager to get home .
On a commercial flight from Los Angeles after his quarantine release , Wethli sat next to a chatty woman who asked what had taken him to California .
She was just making conversation , but he was cautious .
`` I did n't want to tell her why I was there , '' he says .
`` So I just said I had some days off , and that I wanted to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he says he 's been warmly embraced by family and good friends .
Still , he 's noticed that some people outside his inner circle are clearly nervous to be around him .
On a recent trip to the gym to work out , Wethli says , he ran into the father of a high school friend and reached out to shake his hand .
`` He said , 'with the coronavirus going around ' he did n't want to shake hands with anybody.
, '' Wethli says .
`` It kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no sign that Wethli was ever infected with the virus ; during his 14 days in quarantine he was checked two times a day for symptoms of the disease – all tests came back negative .
And he feels fine .
Still , during a recent dinner out with friends , one repeatedly asked if Wethli could make the rest of them sick .
He kept asking , `` 'There 's no way that you can get me sick — right ? '
Are you sure you 're OK ?
There 's no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick ? '
`` '' He asked me a lot of times — many , many times , '' Wethli says , no matter how firmly Wethli assured his friend `` that I 've been watched extensively , checked twice a day for two weeks in quarantine .
He was still pretty worried . ''
Some people he does n't know have been even harsher .
Not long after arriving home , he was interviewed by local TV News , and when he checked comments on the station 's Facebook page later he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments was 'Get that clown out of here . '
You know , they wanted me to leave the area ; there was a GIF of a movie character shaking his head .
And then there was one other person who said I should n't be around — that I should leave . ''
It was a reaction Wethli did n't anticipate .
`` People , especially behind screens , can be mean , and I guess I sort of expected that .
But it 's eye-opening , to say the least .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ abrupt end , Wethli is now considered a Fulbright alum .
He plans to travel around the U.S. for a bit , he says , and then may apply for a job with the U.S. Foreign Service .
He hopes to return to Wuhan .
`` Once all this cools down , I really would like to go see how Wuhan recovers and how people are doing there . ''
He wants to re-visit many of the places he loved , and says he truly hopes people in the U.S. `` will become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as xenophobic — which is sad to see . ''

Evacuated For COVID-19 Scare, Pennsylvania Man Reflects On Life After Quarantine
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Wethli Daniel Wethli
The first Americans quarantined after evacuation from Wuhan, China, the center of this winter's coronavirus outbreak, are now beginning to settle back into normal routines.
For 24-year-old Daniel Wethli, a history buff who majored in philosophy as an undergrad, leaving Wuhan last month at the urging of the U.S. State Department was bittersweet.
His family was glad to hear he was safe and headed home as the virus spread through the city he'd moved to as a Fulbright scholar in December. But Wethli, who'd been to China on prior academic trips and takes delight in the language, the history, and the people he's met there, felt like he was just getting started in his studies.
"I just loved Wuhan," Wethli tells NPR. "It's probably my favorite [of the cities] that I've been to in China."
The historical museums in Wuhan are beautiful, he discovered. "The 1911 Revolution Museum is gorgeous and massive." He loved the high energy of the city, and found his new neighbors to be "very friendly, and very open to meeting new people."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Wethli Daniel Wethli
He was in Wuhan just over a month when the large urban metropolis was locked down.
"It was just eerily silent," Wethli says. "You could hear the wind — no horns beeping, no stores open. It was very strange to see a city built for that many people completely silent."
In the days before the city's quarantine, Wethli initially figured worries about coronavirus might be exaggerated. "It was hard to tell how serious it really was."
But, as more cases and news emerged, he spent more time in his dorm room, heading out once a day to see which stores were open, and to stock up on groceries. Like others in the city, he started wearing a face mask, and washing his hands a lot.
Wethli was at the Wuhan Walmart on Jan. 23 when the U.S. embassy called and told him of the plan to evacuate Americans from the city. They strongly urged him to catch the flight they'd arranged for several days later, so he did.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Daniel Wethli Courtesy of Daniel Wethli
Along with nearly 200 other Americans, Wethli spent about two weeks in quarantine at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California.
It was comfortable, he says, with "hotel-like rooms, a fridge, TV and microwave." He enjoyed the people he met — including an airline pilot, a music producer and a theme park designer. Some of those quarantined taught classes, like art and Zumba, to help while away the time. And, though the group bonded and pledged to stay in touch after quarantine, Wethli was eager to get home.
On a commercial flight from Los Angeles after his quarantine release, Wethli sat next to a chatty woman who asked what had taken him to California. She was just making conversation, but he was cautious.
"I didn't want to tell her why I was there," he says. "So I just said I had some days off, and that I wanted to see California."
Now back at home, he says he's been warmly embraced by family and good friends.
Still, he's noticed that some people outside his inner circle are clearly nervous to be around him. On a recent trip to the gym to work out, Wethli says, he ran into the father of a high school friend and reached out to shake his hand.
"He said, 'with the coronavirus going around' he didn't want to shake hands with anybody.," Wethli says. "It kind of surprised me."
There's no sign that Wethli was ever infected with the virus; during his 14 days in quarantine he was checked two times a day for symptoms of the disease – all tests came back negative. And he feels fine.
Still, during a recent dinner out with friends, one repeatedly asked if Wethli could make the rest of them sick. He kept asking, "'There's no way that you can get me sick — right?' Are you sure you're OK? There's no way I'm gonna end up sick?' "
"He asked me a lot of times — many, many times," Wethli says, no matter how firmly Wethli assured his friend "that I've been watched extensively, checked twice a day for two weeks in quarantine. He was still pretty worried."
Some people he doesn't know have been even harsher. Not long after arriving home, he was interviewed by local TV News, and when he checked comments on the station's Facebook page later he was shocked.
"One of the comments was 'Get that clown out of here.' You know, they wanted me to leave the area; there was a GIF of a movie character shaking his head. And then there was one other person who said I shouldn't be around — that I should leave."
It was a reaction Wethli didn't anticipate. "People, especially behind screens, can be mean, and I guess I sort of expected that. But it's eye-opening, to say the least."
Though his Fulbright came to an abrupt end, Wethli is now considered a Fulbright alum. He plans to travel around the U.S. for a bit, he says, and then may apply for a job with the U.S. Foreign Service.
He hopes to return to Wuhan. "Once all this cools down, I really would like to go see how Wuhan recovers and how people are doing there." He wants to re-visit many of the places he loved, and says he truly hopes people in the U.S. "will become more educated about the virus and not as xenophobic — which is sad to see."


npr--2020-02-21--Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Launches Political Group To Boost Progressive Candidates

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who gained an instant national profile when she toppled a top Democratic leader in 2018 , has launched her own political action committee to boost challengers in 2020 congressional races .
The move shows the 30-year-old New York freshman 's intentions to continue battling with her party 's establishment .
Ocasio-Cortez unveiled the website for her group — dubbed `` Courage to Change '' — along with a slate of seven endorsements for female candidates who in some cases are competing against other Democrats backed by party campaign committees .
Although her latest project showcases her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ocasio-Cortez ' name recognition and regular turns on national media outlets could help attract more money from people new to politics at a time when the 2020 presidential contest is the major focus for many regular party donors .
Her new group 's mission statement says it `` seeks to reward challengers and incumbents who display political courage — people who refuse to bow to establishment pressure , who advocate ferociously for working-class families , and who have lived the same struggles as the people they seek to represent . ''
Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the New York Times .
Ocasio-Cortez touted House and Senate candidates who have n't served in Congress before ; five are women of color .
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez , who is running for Senate in Texas , is competing against MJ Hegar , a combat veteran who is backed by the Senate Democrats ' campaign arm .
The others — Jessica Cisneros of Texas , Georgette Gomez of California , Samelys Lopez of New York , Kara Eastman of Nebraska , Marie Newman of Illinois and Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two are running against current House Democratic incumbents — Cisneros is attempting to beat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar , a moderate eight-term member who stresses his appeal to independents and Republicans .
Newman is running for the second time against Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski , also serving his eighth term , who some liberals have criticized for his anti-abortion rights voting record .
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee declined to comment on the new PAC .
House Democrats are encouraged to pay dues to help support their colleagues to the House Democrats ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid hers this election cycle .
The DCCC has boasted about its record-breaking fundraising this cycle — bringing in $ 125 million in 2019 , a more than $ 20 million increase than it raised in 2017 .
It 's unclear how much money the new progressive PAC will dole out — Rolling Stone reports so far it has raised $ 340,000 in the last month .
It 's not uncommon for House lawmakers to set up their own political action committees to focus on helping particular candidates .
For example , Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serve America '' PAC that focuses on incumbents and challengers with military or intelligence community backgrounds .
Many of those backed by that committee won in 2018 .
Ocasio-Cortez gained prominence along with fellow freshman members of the `` squad '' — Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib , Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley , and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar .
President Trump has repeatedly criticized Ocasio-Cortez in his campaign speeches , further elevating her profile .
The group has been the focus of several intra-party squabbles about policy priorities and political ideology since they started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After beating Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley , who chaired the Democratic caucus and had plans to run for speaker , Ocasio-Cortez has argued the caucus needed to elect more outsiders who are n't beholden to party leaders or donors .
Last fall Ocasio-Cortez told NPR 's Steve Inskeep why she was backing some challengers to some of her own colleagues in the House .
`` We have to be very careful about where the balance of the party is , '' she said , adding , `` I think we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we 're taking conservatives in the party . ''
Democrats took control of the House after the 2018 midterms by knocking off Republicans in suburban and exurban districts — and the focus on keeping the majority in 2020 has been largely concentrated on helping those 31 Democrats who won in districts that Trump won in 2016 .

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Launches Political Group To Boost Progressive Candidates
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gene J. Puskar/AP Gene J. Puskar/AP
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who gained an instant national profile when she toppled a top Democratic leader in 2018, has launched her own political action committee to boost challengers in 2020 congressional races.
The move shows the 30-year-old New York freshman's intentions to continue battling with her party's establishment.
Ocasio-Cortez unveiled the website for her group — dubbed "Courage to Change" — along with a slate of seven endorsements for female candidates who in some cases are competing against other Democrats backed by party campaign committees.
Although her latest project showcases her willingness to clash with her own leadership, Ocasio-Cortez' name recognition and regular turns on national media outlets could help attract more money from people new to politics at a time when the 2020 presidential contest is the major focus for many regular party donors.
Her new group's mission statement says it "seeks to reward challengers and incumbents who display political courage — people who refuse to bow to establishment pressure, who advocate ferociously for working-class families, and who have lived the same struggles as the people they seek to represent."
Ocasio-Cortez discussed her plans first in an interview with the New York Times.
Ocasio-Cortez touted House and Senate candidates who haven't served in Congress before; five are women of color.
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, who is running for Senate in Texas, is competing against MJ Hegar, a combat veteran who is backed by the Senate Democrats' campaign arm.
The others — Jessica Cisneros of Texas, Georgette Gomez of California, Samelys Lopez of New York, Kara Eastman of Nebraska, Marie Newman of Illinois and Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico — are running in House races.
Two are running against current House Democratic incumbents — Cisneros is attempting to beat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, a moderate eight-term member who stresses his appeal to independents and Republicans. Newman is running for the second time against Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski, also serving his eighth term, who some liberals have criticized for his anti-abortion rights voting record.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee declined to comment on the new PAC. House Democrats are encouraged to pay dues to help support their colleagues to the House Democrats' campaign arm, but Ocasio-Cortez has not paid hers this election cycle.
The DCCC has boasted about its record-breaking fundraising this cycle — bringing in $125 million in 2019, a more than $20 million increase than it raised in 2017.
It's unclear how much money the new progressive PAC will dole out — Rolling Stone reports so far it has raised $340,000 in the last month.
It's not uncommon for House lawmakers to set up their own political action committees to focus on helping particular candidates. For example, Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., touts "Serve America" PAC that focuses on incumbents and challengers with military or intelligence community backgrounds. Many of those backed by that committee won in 2018.
Ocasio-Cortez gained prominence along with fellow freshman members of the "squad" — Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Ocasio-Cortez in his campaign speeches, further elevating her profile.
The group has been the focus of several intra-party squabbles about policy priorities and political ideology since they started serving in the House in January 2019.
After beating Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley, who chaired the Democratic caucus and had plans to run for speaker, Ocasio-Cortez has argued the caucus needed to elect more outsiders who aren't beholden to party leaders or donors.
Last fall Ocasio-Cortez told NPR's Steve Inskeep why she was backing some challengers to some of her own colleagues in the House.
"We have to be very careful about where the balance of the party is," she said, adding, "I think we need to take progressives in the party as seriously as we're taking conservatives in the party."
Democrats took control of the House after the 2018 midterms by knocking off Republicans in suburban and exurban districts — and the focus on keeping the majority in 2020 has been largely concentrated on helping those 31 Democrats who won in districts that Trump won in 2016.


npr--2020-02-21--Thailand's Constitutional Court Dissolves Major Opposition Party

Thailand 's top court has dissolved a nascent political party that has rankled the country 's military establishment .
The court said the party 's leader , 41-year-old Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit , violated election law because he gave the new party about $ 6 million – far more than Thai law allows for political donations .
Thanathorn insists the money was a loan .
The party , Future Forward , was formed less than two years ago and surprised observers with its strong third-place showing in elections last March .
It `` ran on a platform that included reducing the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message that resonated , especially with young people , '' as Michael Sullivan reported for NPR from Chiang Rai .
The court also banned the party 's 16-member executive committee from politics for the next ten years , some of whom are currently serving in Parliament .
More than 60 other party members who hold seats in Parliament have 60 days to join a different party , according to the Bangkok Post .
Thanathorn , the heir to an auto parts fortune , addressed supporters on Friday and encouraged them to keep fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove they ca n't destroy us .
We must be stronger as they want to grind us into the dirt , '' he said , according to The Associated Press .
`` Therefore , this is the time to stand firm .
Do n't change your mind .
Do n't lose your fire .
Do n't stop dreaming .
The Future Forward Party is n't just a political party , but a spirit , people and a journey . ''
Thailand 's prime minister , Prayuth Chan-ocha , took power in a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in last year 's general election and he held onto his office , though as Sullivan reported , it was a contest that `` most independent observers say was rigged in the military party 's favor . ''
In 2016 , Thai voters also approved a new constitution that further enshrined the power of the military in the country 's political life .
Future Forward and its leader have faced dozens of legal challenges .
The party has had to defend itself in court against claims that it is associated with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inverted triangle symbol bears a likeness to the group 's symbol .
A court dismissed the charge last month .
According to the Bangkok Post , Thanathorn told supporters that the party would rebrand as a movement focusing on education and environmental issues , and he will fund it .
The word `` party '' has been crossed out from the group 's logos on social media , the newspaper stated .
The is n't the first time Thailand 's Constitutional Court has dissolved a party , as Reuters noted .
In 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra .
The following year , the court dissolved his party .
The European Union sharply criticized Future Forward 's dissolution , calling it `` a set-back for political pluralism in Thailand . ''
The EU noted that the party received more than 6 million votes .
`` Dissolving political parties or banning Members of Parliament runs counter to the process of restoring pluralism initiated last year , '' the EU stated .
`` Political space in Thailand should remain open . ''

Thailand's Constitutional Court Dissolves Major Opposition Party
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
Thailand's top court has dissolved a nascent political party that has rankled the country's military establishment.
The court said the party's leader, 41-year-old Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, violated election law because he gave the new party about $6 million – far more than Thai law allows for political donations. Thanathorn insists the money was a loan.
The party, Future Forward, was formed less than two years ago and surprised observers with its strong third-place showing in elections last March. It "ran on a platform that included reducing the military's role in Thai politics, a message that resonated, especially with young people," as Michael Sullivan reported for NPR from Chiang Rai.
The court also banned the party's 16-member executive committee from politics for the next ten years, some of whom are currently serving in Parliament. More than 60 other party members who hold seats in Parliament have 60 days to join a different party, according to the Bangkok Post.
Thanathorn, the heir to an auto parts fortune, addressed supporters on Friday and encouraged them to keep fighting.
"This is the time to prove they can't destroy us. We must be stronger as they want to grind us into the dirt," he said, according to The Associated Press. "Therefore, this is the time to stand firm. Don't change your mind. Don't lose your fire. Don't stop dreaming. The Future Forward Party isn't just a political party, but a spirit, people and a journey."
Thailand's prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, took power in a military coup in 2014. His party performed well in last year's general election and he held onto his office, though as Sullivan reported, it was a contest that "most independent observers say was rigged in the military party's favor." In 2016, Thai voters also approved a new constitution that further enshrined the power of the military in the country's political life.
Future Forward and its leader have faced dozens of legal challenges. The party has had to defend itself in court against claims that it is associated with the Illuminati secret society, apparently because its inverted triangle symbol bears a likeness to the group's symbol. A court dismissed the charge last month.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thanathorn told supporters that the party would rebrand as a movement focusing on education and environmental issues, and he will fund it. The word "party" has been crossed out from the group's logos on social media, the newspaper stated.
The isn't the first time Thailand's Constitutional Court has dissolved a party, as Reuters noted. In 2006, the Thai military launched another coup against then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The following year, the court dissolved his party.
The European Union sharply criticized Future Forward's dissolution, calling it "a set-back for political pluralism in Thailand." The EU noted that the party received more than 6 million votes.
"Dissolving political parties or banning Members of Parliament runs counter to the process of restoring pluralism initiated last year," the EU stated. "Political space in Thailand should remain open."


npr--2020-02-21--Canadian PM Trudeau Says Rail Barricades 'Must Come Down', Doesn't Say How

Canadian PM Trudeau Says Rail Barricades 'Must Come Down ' , Does n't Say How Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the barricades that have blocked railways in the country for two weeks must come down , calling the situation `` unacceptable and untenable . ''
Indigenous and environmental protesters have blocked key railways , shutting rail traffic in much of the country .
Protesters are trying to stop the 416-mile , $ 4.68 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline project in British Columbia , which is being built through the lands of the Wet'suwet'en First Nations people .
After police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gasoline pipeline , opponents shifted to blocking railway lines as a way of bringing the issue to national attention .
Protesters have erected blockades in British Columbia , Ontario and Quebec in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en people .
In a news conference Friday afternoon , Trudeau spoke at length about the need for the barricades to be removed , but he offered no specifics about steps the government would take to make that happen .
`` The leadership within these indigenous communities will find a way to bring down these barricades peacefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have exhausted our capacity to engage in a positive , substantive active way , at our initiative , to resolve this , '' he said .
`` The onus has now shifted to onto indigenous leadership to look to continue this path of reconciliation in this difficult situation . ''
Molly Wickham , spokesperson for the Wet'suwet'en protesters , told NPR they wo n't back down until the pipeline is halted : `` The federal government and the province both have a responsibility to acknowledge that the Wet'suwet'en have never ceded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lands .
And we have full jurisdiction and authorization to make decisions on our territory . ''
Among the requests by Wet'suwet'en hereditary leadership is that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police remove its temporary command post on Wet'suwet'en land , which the RCMP has agreed to do .
Trudeau indicated what the police should do : `` The responsibility of law enforcement in this country is to keep the peace and ensure that laws are enforced — and indeed to enforce those laws .
How they do that , and when they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their professionalism . ''
The Canadian National Railway has laid off 450 people temporarily due to the blockage , while the Via Rail passenger service has laid off about 1,000 , Reuters reports .
The barricades have caused shortages in propane for heating livestock barns and slowed deliveries of grain .
Containers have been piling up at Canada 's largest ports and some 50 ships are waiting to unload in Vancouver , according to The Associated Press .
Conservatives have called on Trudeau to clear the blockages , but he has been insistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My message is that injunctions must be obeyed , barricades must come down , but we must look to see this happen peacefully , '' he said .
`` We must look to be able to continue on this path of reconciliation that is not and will never be easy .
But that requires a partnership and a trust that needs to be built on positive actions . ''

Canadian PM Trudeau Says Rail Barricades 'Must Come Down', Doesn't Say How
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Doyle/Reuters Patrick Doyle/Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the barricades that have blocked railways in the country for two weeks must come down, calling the situation "unacceptable and untenable."
Indigenous and environmental protesters have blocked key railways, shutting rail traffic in much of the country. Protesters are trying to stop the 416-mile, $4.68 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline project in British Columbia, which is being built through the lands of the Wet'suwet'en First Nations people.
After police removed Wet'suwet'en protesters from the path of the natural gas pipeline, opponents shifted to blocking railway lines as a way of bringing the issue to national attention.
Protesters have erected blockades in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en people.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, Trudeau spoke at length about the need for the barricades to be removed, but he offered no specifics about steps the government would take to make that happen.
"The leadership within these indigenous communities will find a way to bring down these barricades peacefully, but as a federal government, we have exhausted our capacity to engage in a positive, substantive active way, at our initiative, to resolve this," he said. "The onus has now shifted to onto indigenous leadership to look to continue this path of reconciliation in this difficult situation."
Molly Wickham, spokesperson for the Wet'suwet'en protesters, told NPR they won't back down until the pipeline is halted: "The federal government and the province both have a responsibility to acknowledge that the Wet'suwet'en have never ceded, surrendered or extinguished our title to our lands. And we have full jurisdiction and authorization to make decisions on our territory."
Among the requests by Wet'suwet'en hereditary leadership is that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police remove its temporary command post on Wet'suwet'en land, which the RCMP has agreed to do.
Trudeau indicated what the police should do: "The responsibility of law enforcement in this country is to keep the peace and ensure that laws are enforced — and indeed to enforce those laws. How they do that, and when they do that is part of their responsibility and their professionalism."
The Canadian National Railway has laid off 450 people temporarily due to the blockage, while the Via Rail passenger service has laid off about 1,000, Reuters reports. The barricades have caused shortages in propane for heating livestock barns and slowed deliveries of grain. Containers have been piling up at Canada's largest ports and some 50 ships are waiting to unload in Vancouver, according to The Associated Press.
Conservatives have called on Trudeau to clear the blockages, but he has been insistent on resolving the problem peacefully.
"My message is that injunctions must be obeyed, barricades must come down, but we must look to see this happen peacefully," he said. "We must look to be able to continue on this path of reconciliation that is not and will never be easy. But that requires a partnership and a trust that needs to be built on positive actions."


npr--2020-02-21--'Antarctica Melts,' NASA Says, Showing Effects Of A Record Warm Spell

Where there was a white ice cap , there are now brown blotches of land ; melted snow and ice have created ponds of water .
Those are the effects of the recent record high temperatures in Antarctica , according to NASA , which on Friday released stunning before-and-after satellite images of the northern Antarctic Peninsula .
The photos center on Eagle Island , part of the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula that stretches toward South America .
Satellites took the images just nine days apart , on Feb. 4 and Feb. 13 .
But dramatic changes took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the first photo was taken , the area hit 18.3 degrees Celsius ( 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit ) — matching that day 's temperature in Los Angeles , NASA notes .
`` The warm spell caused widespread melting on nearby glaciers , '' the space agency says .
`` Such persistent warmth was not typical in Antarctica until the 21st century , but it has become more common in recent years . ''
On Eagle Island , the biggest loss of ice and snow came on Feb. 6 , when an inch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate models .
By Feb. 11 , the island had lost 4 inches of snow .
`` I have n't seen melt ponds develop this quickly in Antarctica , '' Mauri Pelto , a glaciologist at Nichols College in Massachusetts , said in NASA 's news release about the phenomenon .
The nearly 65-degree temperature was reported by Argentina 's research station at Esperanza Base .
Experts at the World Meteorological Organization are still verifying the record .
The agency calls the Antarctic Peninsula one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit ) over the past half century .
`` These warm events are occurring more frequently '' in that part of the peninsula , says Alexandra Isern , head of Antarctic sciences at the National Science Foundation .
Discussing the NASA images Friday , Isern also cautions , `` We have to understand that those images were taken about as far north in Antarctica as you can get .
So if any place is going to have those melt ponds , that 's certainly going to be one place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's surprising to see such a rapid and dramatic shrinkage of snow and ice .
`` You see those sort of things in Greenland and in the Arctic more often than you see them in the Antarctic , '' Isern says .
Because the recent warmup lasted for more than a week , she says , researchers are left with a troubling question : `` Are we starting to see these warm events also lasting longer than they did before ? ''
The answer to that , Isern says , could have far-ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility that new invasive species could gain a foothold in Antarctica if its climate becomes more forgiving .
Isern agrees with NASA 's assessment that a number of weather conditions combined to create the unusually high temperatures in the Antarctic 's northern point .
`` Typically , the peninsula is shielded from warm air masses by the Southern Hemisphere westerlies , a band of strong winds that circle the continent , '' NASA says .
`` However , the westerlies were in a weakened state , which allowed the extra-tropical warm air to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice sheet .
Sea surface temperatures in the area were also higher than average by about 2-3°C . ''
The task now , Isern says , is to determine whether those factors created an anomaly or whether they hint at a new pattern .
`` This is a weather event , '' she says of the recent warm spell .
She believes scientists will now try to figure out whether the warm weather event in Antarctica 's northern peninsula is on its way to becoming a climate event .

'Antarctica Melts,' NASA Says, Showing Effects Of A Record Warm Spell
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA NASA
Where there was a white ice cap, there are now brown blotches of land; melted snow and ice have created ponds of water. Those are the effects of the recent record high temperatures in Antarctica, according to NASA, which on Friday released stunning before-and-after satellite images of the northern Antarctic Peninsula.
The photos center on Eagle Island, part of the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula that stretches toward South America. Satellites took the images just nine days apart, on Feb. 4 and Feb. 13. But dramatic changes took place in that time span. Two days after the first photo was taken, the area hit 18.3 degrees Celsius (64.9 degrees Fahrenheit) — matching that day's temperature in Los Angeles, NASA notes.
"The warm spell caused widespread melting on nearby glaciers," the space agency says. "Such persistent warmth was not typical in Antarctica until the 21st century, but it has become more common in recent years."
On Eagle Island, the biggest loss of ice and snow came on Feb. 6, when an inch of snowpack melted, according to NASA's climate models. By Feb. 11, the island had lost 4 inches of snow.
"I haven't seen melt ponds develop this quickly in Antarctica," Mauri Pelto, a glaciologist at Nichols College in Massachusetts, said in NASA's news release about the phenomenon.
The nearly 65-degree temperature was reported by Argentina's research station at Esperanza Base. Experts at the World Meteorological Organization are still verifying the record. The agency calls the Antarctic Peninsula one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth, with average temperatures rising almost 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) over the past half century.
"These warm events are occurring more frequently" in that part of the peninsula, says Alexandra Isern, head of Antarctic sciences at the National Science Foundation.
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA NASA
Discussing the NASA images Friday, Isern also cautions, "We have to understand that those images were taken about as far north in Antarctica as you can get. So if any place is going to have those melt ponds, that's certainly going to be one place."
Still, she says, it's surprising to see such a rapid and dramatic shrinkage of snow and ice.
"You see those sort of things in Greenland and in the Arctic more often than you see them in the Antarctic," Isern says.
Because the recent warmup lasted for more than a week, she says, researchers are left with a troubling question: "Are we starting to see these warm events also lasting longer than they did before?"
The answer to that, Isern says, could have far-ranging impacts for the area, including the possibility that new invasive species could gain a foothold in Antarctica if its climate becomes more forgiving.
Isern agrees with NASA's assessment that a number of weather conditions combined to create the unusually high temperatures in the Antarctic's northern point.
"Typically, the peninsula is shielded from warm air masses by the Southern Hemisphere westerlies, a band of strong winds that circle the continent," NASA says. "However, the westerlies were in a weakened state, which allowed the extra-tropical warm air to cross the Southern Ocean and reach the ice sheet. Sea surface temperatures in the area were also higher than average by about 2-3°C."
The task now, Isern says, is to determine whether those factors created an anomaly or whether they hint at a new pattern.
"This is a weather event," she says of the recent warm spell. She believes scientists will now try to figure out whether the warm weather event in Antarctica's northern peninsula is on its way to becoming a climate event.


npr--2020-02-21--Bloomberg: 3 Women Who Made 'Complaints About Comments' Can Seek NDA Releases

Bloomberg : 3 Women Who Made 'Complaints About Comments ' Can Seek NDA Releases Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that he will permit his company to release three women from nondisclosure agreements with his company , a reversal after resisting to do so under pressure from his rivals at a Democratic presidential debate earlier this week .
In a statement released Friday afternoon , Bloomberg said that Bloomberg LP had identified three nondisclosure agreements made with women `` to address complaints about comments they said I had made . ''
`` If any of them want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they can talk about those allegations , they should contact the company and they 'll be given a release , '' the billionaire former New York City mayor said in a statement Friday .
`` I 've done a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days and I 've decided that for as long as I 'm running the company , we wo n't offer confidentiality agreements to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward .
The carefully worded statement comes after Bloomberg faced a barrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic rivals , including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Warren reacted to Bloomberg 's announcement , telling reporters it was `` just not good enough '' and that he needs to do a `` blanket release '' so that all `` muzzled '' women can tell their side of the story .
At Wednesday 's debate , Warren had pressed Bloomberg on allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination , and on his company 's use of NDAs .
`` I 'd like to talk about who we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls women 'fat broads ' and 'horse-faced lesbians , ' `` she said in her opening comments of the debate .
`` And , no , I 'm not talking about Donald Trump .
I 'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg . ''
The Bloomberg campaign denies he has made such statements .
Warren also specifically asked him whether he would release women from the agreements , and he declined .
`` None of them accuse me of doing anything , other than maybe they did n't like a joke I told , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's agreements between two parties that wanted to keep it quiet and that 's up to them .
They signed those agreements , and we 'll live with it . ''
Warren continued her criticism of Bloomberg over the issue on Thursday .
During a CNN town hall on Thursday night , Warren , who used to teach contract law , offered him a draft `` release and covenant not to sue '' document that would release his employees from the NDAs they signed .
The Washington Post reported earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the years alleging that women had been discriminated against at Bloomberg 's company .
One former employee , according to the Washington Post , blamed Bloomberg for faulting a culture of sexual harassment and degradation .
Bloomberg 's statement appears limited in scope to three women .
It does not release all of Bloomberg LP 's current and former employees from nondisclosure agreements , nor does it release those who have signed nondisclosure agreements regarding harassment by people other than Bloomberg himself .
In his statement , Bloomberg said he 's also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` to consult with experts , as I myself have done in recent days , and review and reform our policies where necessary with regard to equal pay and promotion , sexual harassment and discrimination , and other legal tools that prevent culture change . ''
He added that as president , he 'd work to pass the Be Heard Act in Congress .
The legislation , which is sponsored by Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark ( who 's endorsed Warren ) , says it `` sets forth provisions to prevent discrimination and harassment @ @ @ @ @

Bloomberg: 3 Women Who Made 'Complaints About Comments' Can Seek NDA Releases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 6:38 p.m. ET
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that he will permit his company to release three women from nondisclosure agreements with his company, a reversal after resisting to do so under pressure from his rivals at a Democratic presidential debate earlier this week.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, Bloomberg said that Bloomberg LP had identified three nondisclosure agreements made with women "to address complaints about comments they said I had made."
"If any of them want to be released from their NDA so that they can talk about those allegations, they should contact the company and they'll be given a release," the billionaire said in the statement. "I've done a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days and I've decided that for as long as I'm running the company, we won't offer confidentiality agreements to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward."
The carefully worded statement comes after Bloomberg faced a barrage of criticism over the issue from his Democratic rivals, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Warren reacted to Bloomberg's announcement, telling reporters it was "just not good enough" and that he needs to do a "blanket release" so that all "muzzled" women can tell their side of the story.
At Wednesday's debate, Warren had pressed Bloomberg on allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination, and on his company's use of NDAs.
"I'd like to talk about who we're running against, a billionaire who calls women 'fat broads' and 'horse-faced lesbians,' " she said in her opening comments of the debate. "And, no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg."
The Bloomberg campaign denies he has made such statements.
Warren also specifically asked him whether he would release women from the agreements, and he declined.
"None of them accuse me of doing anything, other than maybe they didn't like a joke I told," Bloomberg said at the debate. "There's agreements between two parties that wanted to keep it quiet and that's up to them. They signed those agreements, and we'll live with it."
Warren continued her criticism of Bloomberg over the issue on Thursday. During a CNN town hall on Thursday night, Warren, who used to teach contract law, offered him a draft "release and covenant not to sue" document that would release his employees from the NDAs they signed.
The Washington Post reported earlier this month that there have been several lawsuits filed over the years alleging that women had been discriminated against at Bloomberg's company. One former employee, according to the Post, blamed Bloomberg for fostering a culture of sexual harassment and degradation.
Bloomberg's statement appears limited in scope to three women. It does not release all of Bloomberg LP's current and former employees from nondisclosure agreements, nor does it release those who have signed nondisclosure agreements regarding harassment by people other than Bloomberg himself.
In his statement, Bloomberg said he's also asked his company's human resources team "to consult with experts, as I myself have done in recent days, and review and reform our policies where necessary with regard to equal pay and promotion, sexual harassment and discrimination, and other legal tools that prevent culture change."
He added that as president, he'd work to pass the Be Heard Act in Congress.
The legislation, which is sponsored by Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark (who's endorsed Warren), says it "sets forth provisions to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace."
Claudia Grisales contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-21--Wells Fargo Paying $3 Billion To Settle U.S. Case Over Fraudulent Customer Accounts

Wells Fargo Paying $ 3 Billion To Settle U.S. Case Over Fraudulent Customer Accounts Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $ 3 billion to settle charges that the bank engaged in fraudulent sales practices for more than a decade .
The company acknowledged collecting millions of dollars in fees for bank accounts , debit cards and other products that customers neither asked for nor needed .
The illegal practices were carried out by thousands of Wells Fargo employees in order to meet unrealistic sales targets .
`` When companies cheat to compete , they harm customers and other competitors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The $ 3 billion penalty is appropriate , `` given the staggering size , scope and duration of Wells Fargo 's illicit conduct , '' added Andrew Murray , U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina .
Authorities say bank managers were aware of the illegal conduct as early as 2002 but allowed it to continue until 2016 .
`` This case illustrates a complete failure of leadership at multiple levels within the Bank , '' said Nick Hanna , U.S. attorney for the Central District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wells Fargo traded its hard-earned reputation for short-term profits , and harmed untold numbers of customers along the way . ''
The Justice Department says a cornerstone of Wells Fargo 's business model during this period was a `` cross-sell strategy , '' in which existing customers were encouraged to open additional accounts and buy other financial products .
In order to meet onerous sales targets , prosecutors say employees often opened accounts without customers ' knowledge or consent — forging signatures , moving money from existing accounts and altering customers ' contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hopeful that this $ 3 billion penalty , along with the personnel and structural changes at the Bank , will ensure that such conduct will not reoccur , '' Hanna said .
Wells Fargo reported net income of $ 2.9 billion in its most recent quarter .
`` The conduct at the core of today 's settlements — and the past culture that gave rise to it — are reprehensible and wholly inconsistent with the values on which Wells Fargo was built , '' CEO Charlie Scharf said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that nothing like this happens again . ''
None of the $ 3 billion penalty will go to Wells Fargo customers .
The bulk of the fine will go to the U.S. Treasury , while $ 500 million will go to the Securities and Exchange Commission to be distributed to investors .
Previous fines and settlements have gone to customers who suffered financial harm , including downgrades of their credit ratings .
The bank has made additional payments to settle complaints over mortgage abuses and the sale of unnecessary auto insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Justice Department agreed to defer criminal prosecution of Wells Fargo , as long as the bank meets certain conditions for three years .
Authorities noted that the bank has already made significant changes to its management and board of directors .
The settlement does not preclude additional action against individuals who took part in the illegal scheme .

Wells Fargo Paying $3 Billion To Settle U.S. Case Over Fraudulent Customer Accounts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $3 billion to settle charges that the bank engaged in fraudulent sales practices for more than a decade.
The company acknowledged collecting millions of dollars in fees for bank accounts, debit cards and other products that customers neither asked for nor needed. The illegal practices were carried out by thousands of Wells Fargo employees in order to meet unrealistic sales targets.
"When companies cheat to compete, they harm customers and other competitors," Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston said in a statement.
The $3 billion penalty is appropriate, "given the staggering size, scope and duration of Wells Fargo's illicit conduct," added Andrew Murray, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Authorities say bank managers were aware of the illegal conduct as early as 2002 but allowed it to continue until 2016.
"This case illustrates a complete failure of leadership at multiple levels within the Bank," said Nick Hanna, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. "Simply put, Wells Fargo traded its hard-earned reputation for short-term profits, and harmed untold numbers of customers along the way."
The Justice Department says a cornerstone of Wells Fargo's business model during this period was a "cross-sell strategy," in which existing customers were encouraged to open additional accounts and buy other financial products. In order to meet onerous sales targets, prosecutors say employees often opened accounts without customers' knowledge or consent — forging signatures, moving money from existing accounts and altering customers' contact information to avoid detection.
"We are hopeful that this $3 billion penalty, along with the personnel and structural changes at the Bank, will ensure that such conduct will not reoccur," Hanna said.
Wells Fargo reported net income of $2.9 billion in its most recent quarter.
"The conduct at the core of today's settlements — and the past culture that gave rise to it — are reprehensible and wholly inconsistent with the values on which Wells Fargo was built," CEO Charlie Scharf said in a statement. "We are committing all necessary resources to ensure that nothing like this happens again."
None of the $3 billion penalty will go to Wells Fargo customers. The bulk of the fine will go to the U.S. Treasury, while $500 million will go to the Securities and Exchange Commission to be distributed to investors. Previous fines and settlements have gone to customers who suffered financial harm, including downgrades of their credit ratings. The bank has made additional payments to settle complaints over mortgage abuses and the sale of unnecessary auto insurance.
In addition to the civil penalties, the Justice Department agreed to defer criminal prosecution of Wells Fargo, as long as the bank meets certain conditions for three years. Authorities noted that the bank has already made significant changes to its management and board of directors.
The settlement does not preclude additional action against individuals who took part in the illegal scheme.