npr--2020-01-09--Trudeau: Evidence Shows Iranian Missile Shot Down Jet In Possibly 'Unintentional' Act

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that evidence suggests an Iranian missile strike brought down the Ukrainian jetliner that plunged from the sky Wednesday outside Tehran .
`` We have intelligence from multiple sources , including our allies and our own intelligence .
The evidence indicates the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile , '' Trudeau said during a news conference in Ottawa , one day after all 176 people aboard — including dozens of Canadian passengers — died in the crash .
`` This may well have been unintentional , '' he added .
Trudeau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to elaborate on the nature of the evidence Canada and its allies have obtained .
He noted that Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne spoke Wednesday night with his Iranian counterpart , Mohammad Javad Zarif , during which Champagne stressed the need for Canada to be granted speedy access to Iran to facilitate the investigation .
The situation demands a full probe in partnership with Iran , he added , in order to determine whether the missile strike was intentional .
`` At least 63 Canadians were on board , and a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connecting to Canada — all people who wo n't be coming home to their parents , their friends , their colleagues or their family , '' Trudeau said .
Iranian authorities have denied suggestions that its own missile system accidentally brought down the plane .
Prior to Trudeau 's address , a spokesperson for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the idea that such a mistake could have happened — suggested by President Trump during a news conference Thursday and reported by multiple U.S. media outlets at that point — is simply `` impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point that satellite images can read our [ license ] plate numbers , so if there was a missile hitting a plane , then ... the satellite footage would have been available , '' Iranian presidential spokesman Ali Rabie told NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly on Thursday .
`` Apart from that , we have the 'black box ' [ flight data recordings ] .
We have asked the government of Ukraine to come , and we can give them the black box and analyze it together .
Everything will become clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rabie 's comments came just hours after Trump voiced his suspicions about the crash , saying without providing evidence that `` somebody could have made a mistake . ''
Several reports Thursday — including from Newsweek , The Associated Press and CNN — have cited unnamed U.S. officials who say it 's `` highly likely '' that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed the jetliner by accident .
NPR has not independently confirmed these reports .
Rabie rebutted these assertions , noting that `` Ukraine and any other country can come and they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cockpit recordings — though he added that they did not give them to U.S. officials because `` we do n't trust them and how they might read the information there . ''
`` There is no issues regarding this that we are trying to hide , '' he said .
In a preliminary report issued earlier , Iran Civil Aviation Organization noted that the flight recorders had been damaged in the crash but nevertheless were recovered and now are under review .
The organization found that Flight 752 , a Boeing 737-800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craft hit the ground , though `` no radio messages were received by the pilot regarding unusual circumstances . ''
The report also found that the plane had changed direction midflight , suggesting that it `` was on its way back to the airport at the time of the crash . ''
The group offered no final conclusions on the cause of the crash .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to get to the bottom of what happened .
`` Undoubtedly , the priority for Ukraine is to identify the causes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the truth , '' he said in a recorded statement Thursday .
`` For this purpose , a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted in accordance with international law . ''
Oleksiy Danilov , secretary of Ukraine 's National Security and Defense Council , is helping lead a joint commission in Tehran .
According to a Facebook post by Danilov , the commission made up of international specialists is considering a wide range of theories at the moment — including a technical problem with the engine , a collision with another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a missile strike .
The Ukrainian official said the commission includes experts who investigated the 2014 attack on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 , which international investigators say was launched from rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine using a Russian missile .
In addition to the 63 Canadians on Flight 752 , 82 Iranians and 11 Ukrainians were aboard .
Passengers from Sweden , Afghanistan , Germany and the U.K. were killed in the crash , as well .
Zelenskiy declared Thursday a national day of mourning for Ukraine and ordered that flags across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also spoke with leaders in Sweden , Afghanistan and the U.K. to offer his condolences for their countries ' losses .
`` Yesterday was without exaggeration a tragic day in the history of our countries , '' he told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , asking the U.K. to join its investigation into the incident , according to a summary of the call .
The plane crash came amid a period of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. , sparked last week by the U.S. airstrike that killed prominent Iranian military commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they carried out the drone strike — which also killed a major Iraqi militia leader — to prevent planned violence against American diplomats , not long after a crowd tried to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad .
This week , Iran retaliated for that killing with ballistic missile strikes on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. military forces , in an operation that came within hours of the plane crash outside Tehran .
As for the investigation into the jetliner crash , Canada 's prime minister vowed to get to the bottom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and weeks , our government will continue to work closely with its partners to ensure that this crash is thoroughly investigated , '' Trudeau said .
`` Canadians have questions , and they deserve answers . ''

Trudeau: Evidence Shows Iranian Missile Shot Down Jet In Possibly 'Unintentional' Act
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Updated at 8:36 p.m. ET
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that evidence suggests an Iranian missile strike brought down the Ukrainian jetliner that plunged from the sky Wednesday outside Tehran.
"We have intelligence from multiple sources, including our allies and our own intelligence. The evidence indicates the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile," Trudeau said during a news conference in Ottawa, one day after all 176 people aboard — including dozens of Canadian passengers — died in the crash.
"This may well have been unintentional," he added.
Trudeau cautioned that the findings remained preliminary and declined to elaborate on the nature of the evidence Canada and its allies have obtained.
He noted that Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne spoke Wednesday night with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, during which Champagne stressed the need for Canada to be granted speedy access to Iran to facilitate the investigation.
The situation demands a full probe in partnership with Iran, he added, in order to determine whether the missile strike was intentional.
"At least 63 Canadians were on board, and a total of 138 passengers on that flight were connecting to Canada — all people who won't be coming home to their parents, their friends, their colleagues or their family," Trudeau said.
Iranian authorities have denied suggestions that their own missile system accidentally brought down the plane.
Prior to Trudeau's address, a spokesperson for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the idea that such a mistake could have happened — suggested by President Trump during a news conference Thursday and reported by multiple U.S. media outlets at that point — is simply "impossible."
"We are at a point that satellite images can read our [license] plate numbers, so if there was a missile hitting a plane, then ... the satellite footage would have been available," Iranian presidential spokesman Ali Rabie told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly on Thursday.
Watch Trudeau's news conference YouTube
"Apart from that, we have the 'black box' [flight data recordings]. We have asked the government of Ukraine to come, and we can give them the black box and analyze it together. Everything will become clear that it was just an accident."
Rabie's comments came just hours after Trump voiced his suspicions about the crash, saying without providing evidence that "somebody could have made a mistake."
U.S. officials told NPR they believe that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile mistakenly downed the jetliner.
Rabie rebutted this assertion, noting that "Ukraine and any other country can come and they can open" the black box flight data and cockpit recordings — though he added that they did not give them to U.S. officials because "we don't trust them and how they might read the information there."
"There is no issues regarding this that we are trying to hide," he said.
In a preliminary report issued earlier, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization noted that the flight recorders had been damaged in the crash but nevertheless were recovered and now are under review.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that Iran has given permission for it to help determine what caused the crash. Under international aviation protocols, the NTSB is supposed to take part in investigations of crashes of planes that were designed and manufactured in the U.S. But amid tensions between the two countries, Iranian authorities initially refused to give permission.
The organization found that Flight 752, a Boeing 737-800, was already on fire before the craft hit the ground, though "no radio messages were received by the pilot regarding unusual circumstances." The report also found that the plane had changed direction midflight, suggesting that it "was on its way back to the airport at the time of the crash."
The group offered no final conclusions on the cause of the crash.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to get to the bottom of what happened.
"Undoubtedly, the priority for Ukraine is to identify the causes of the plane crash. We will surely find out the truth," he said in a recorded statement Thursday. "For this purpose, a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted in accordance with international law."
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, is helping lead a joint commission in Tehran. According to a Facebook post by Danilov, the commission made up of international specialists is considering a wide range of theories at the moment — including a technical problem with the engine, a collision with another flying object, a terrorist act or a missile strike.
The Ukrainian official said the commission includes experts who investigated the 2014 attack on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which international investigators say was launched from rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine using a Russian missile.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images
In addition to the 63 Canadians on Flight 752, 82 Iranians and 11 Ukrainians were aboard. Passengers from Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany and the U.K. were killed in the crash, as well.
Zelenskiy declared Thursday a national day of mourning for Ukraine and ordered that flags across the country be flown at half-staff. He also spoke with leaders in Sweden, Afghanistan and the U.K. to offer his condolences for their countries' losses.
"Yesterday was without exaggeration a tragic day in the history of our countries," he told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, asking the U.K. to join its investigation into the incident, according to a summary of the call.
The plane crash came amid a period of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S., sparked last week by the U.S. airstrike that killed prominent Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. U.S. authorities say they carried out the drone strike — which also killed a major Iraqi militia leader — to prevent planned violence against American diplomats, not long after a crowd tried to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
This week, Iran retaliated for that killing with ballistic missile strikes on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. military forces, in an operation that came within hours of the plane crash outside Tehran.
As for the investigation into the jetliner crash, Canada's prime minister vowed to get to the bottom of what happened.
"In the coming days and weeks, our government will continue to work closely with its partners to ensure that this crash is thoroughly investigated," Trudeau said. "Canadians have questions, and they deserve answers."


npr--2020-01-09--FEC Commissioner Rips Facebook Over Political Ad Policy: 'This Will Not Do'

FEC Commissioner Rips Facebook Over Political Ad Policy : 'This Will Not Do' Facebook says it will continue to allow political ads that target the social media platform 's users , sticking to its position despite concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming presidential election .
Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub sharply criticized the policy , saying Facebook 's `` weak plan suggests the company has no idea how seriously it is hurting democracy . ''
Facebook 's policy falls short of measures recently taken by other tech giants .
Google says it will limit the ability of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter has banned political ads entirely .
Taking aim at Facebook 's policy in a series of tweets Thursday morning , Weintraub , a Democrat , said , `` I am not willing to bet the 2020 elections on the proposition that Facebook has solved its problems with a solution whose chief feature appears to be that it does n't seriously impact the company 's profit margins . ''
Facebook also says it 's not changing how it handles the content of ads .
While the company says its community standards bar hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Thursday does not address calls from those who want the company to fact-check ads before it publishes them .
( Note : Facebook is among NPR 's financial supporters . )
In announcing the policy Thursday , Facebook 's director of product management , Rob Leathern , wrote that `` people should be able to hear from those who wish to lead them , warts and all , and that what they say should be scrutinized and debated in public . ''
Facebook says it should n't be in the business of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws to govern political speech on social media — and to a degree , the American Civil Liberties Union agrees .
`` This will not be a popular view .
But on the whole , we think that Facebook got this right , '' says Ben Wizner , director of the ACLU 's Speech , Privacy , and Technology Project .
Describing the gray area that political ads often occupy , Wizner added , `` I do n't think Facebook is capable of doing effective fact-checking , and I do n't think as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the entity that 's making those kinds of distinctions . ''
Part of the issue , he says , is the massive scale of political ads — not only at the federal , state and local levels in the U.S. , but also in every country in which Facebook operates .
Wizner predicts that if Facebook took up fact-checking in earnest , it would be inundated with demands from candidates and political campaigns that want the other side 's ads taken down , rather than responding to them in public .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , the online civil rights group , which accused Facebook of exempting politicians from the rules it applies to everyone else .
In a statement sent to NPR , Gennie Gebhart , the EFF 's associate director of research , said , `` Facebook readily and pervasively plays the role of speech referee for the general public , but , concerned about playing politics , applies a more permissive set of rules to powerful political groups complaining about bias . ''
Despite backing part of Facebook 's revised policy , the ACLU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company should change how it handles targeted political advertising .
`` There is something different about online microtargeted advertisements and the kind of political advertisements that we 've mainly seen in the past , on radio and television , '' he says .
With targeted ad campaigns , he adds , `` it 's possible for candidates to send one advertisement to me and a different one to my neighbor across the street .
And so that makes it easier for lies to go uncorrected . ''
Among the changes Wizner would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook about which users have been targeted with political ads , so misleading information can be rebutted .
`` If a candidate is going to run an ad that goes only to men in one neighborhood , or only to women in another , then we should know who the target audience was , '' he says .
`` So that if the ad contains falsehoods , we know how to better target our responses and corrections .
And Facebook should consider raising the minimum number of targeted audience members for ads — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more common political conversation , and not a different one for each household . ''
The FEC 's Weintraub has urged tech companies to take an aggressive stand against microtargeting potential voters with ads .
In an opinion piece for The Washington Post last November , Weintraub wrote , `` Microtargeting by foreign and domestic actors in 2016 proved to be a potent weapon for spreading disinformation and sowing discord . ''
Facebook promises that its approach will bring `` unprecedented transparency and control for political ads . ''
The company plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will let users cut down on the number of political and social issue ads they see , on both Facebook and Instagram .
Its users can also search its Ad Library for details such as the size of an ad 's audience , and where those people live .
`` The expanded transparency features will roll out in the first quarter of 2020 and will apply in all countries where we facilitate 'Paid for by ' disclaimers on ads , '' Facebook says .
But those solutions do n't satisfy critics who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be able to opt out completely and block all political ads .
Experts also note that the tools Facebook is giving to its users can be complicated to use and can be easily overlooked as just another `` terms of service '' bulletin .
`` More transparency and user control over advertising is an undeniably good thing , but this policy still does n't go far enough , '' says Nina Jankowicz , who studies technology and politics as the Disinformation Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center .
Jankowicz says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the political ads they see , many users could have trouble navigating its tools .
`` How many people understand the way microtargeting works , let alone Facebook 's Custom Audience feature , which allows advertisers to target on an even more precise level ? ''
she asks .
Jankowicz says Facebook should offer the controls in an easy-to-use design and do more to educate its more than 2 billion users about what the changes mean .
And she believes people who are on Facebook should regularly review how their profiles handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this should be a feature that users are constantly interacting with and adjusting based on their own inclinations and personal experiences on the site , '' she says .
`` Based on Facebook 's track record with features like these , I 'm not sure that 's going to happen . ''
As Facebook 's Leathern discussed the company 's ad policy , he also acknowledged those who are unhappy with its practices .
`` We recognize this is an issue that has provoked much public discussion — including much criticism of Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are not deaf to that and will continue to work with regulators and policymakers in our ongoing efforts to help protect elections . ''

FEC Commissioner Rips Facebook Over Political Ad Policy: 'This Will Not Do'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erin Scott/Reuters Erin Scott/Reuters
Facebook says it will continue to allow political ads that target the social media platform's users, sticking to its position despite concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming presidential election. Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub sharply criticized the policy, saying Facebook's "weak plan suggests the company has no idea how seriously it is hurting democracy."
Facebook's policy falls short of measures recently taken by other tech giants. Google says it will limit the ability of political ads to target an audience, and Twitter has banned political ads entirely.
Taking aim at Facebook's policy in a series of tweets Thursday morning, Weintraub, a Democrat, said, "I am not willing to bet the 2020 elections on the proposition that Facebook has solved its problems with a solution whose chief feature appears to be that it doesn't seriously impact the company's profit margins."
Facebook also says it's not changing how it handles the content of ads. While the company says its community standards bar hate speech and harmful content, the policy announced Thursday does not address calls from those who want the company to fact-check ads before it publishes them. (Note: Facebook is among NPR's financial supporters.)
In announcing the policy Thursday, Facebook's director of product management, Rob Leathern, wrote that "people should be able to hear from those who wish to lead them, warts and all, and that what they say should be scrutinized and debated in public."
Facebook says it shouldn't be in the business of fact-checking, that the U.S. needs new laws to govern political speech on social media — and to a degree, the American Civil Liberties Union agrees.
"This will not be a popular view. But on the whole, we think that Facebook got this right," says Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.
Describing the gray area that political ads often occupy, Wizner added, "I don't think Facebook is capable of doing effective fact-checking, and I don't think as a society we should want Facebook to be the entity that's making those kinds of distinctions."
Part of the issue, he says, is the massive scale of political ads — not only at the federal, state and local levels in the U.S., but also in every country in which Facebook operates. Wizner predicts that if Facebook took up fact-checking in earnest, it would be inundated with demands from candidates and political campaigns that want the other side's ads taken down, rather than responding to them in public.
A different take comes from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the online civil rights group, which accused Facebook of exempting politicians from the rules it applies to everyone else.
In a statement sent to NPR, Gennie Gebhart, the EFF's associate director of research, said, "Facebook readily and pervasively plays the role of speech referee for the general public, but, concerned about playing politics, applies a more permissive set of rules to powerful political groups complaining about bias."
Despite backing part of Facebook's revised policy, the ACLU's Wizner agrees with critics who say the company should change how it handles targeted political advertising.
"There is something different about online microtargeted advertisements and the kind of political advertisements that we've mainly seen in the past, on radio and television," he says. With targeted ad campaigns, he adds, "it's possible for candidates to send one advertisement to me and a different one to my neighbor across the street. And so that makes it easier for lies to go uncorrected."
Among the changes Wizner would like to see: more information from Facebook about which users have been targeted with political ads, so misleading information can be rebutted.
"If a candidate is going to run an ad that goes only to men in one neighborhood, or only to women in another, then we should know who the target audience was," he says. "So that if the ad contains falsehoods, we know how to better target our responses and corrections. And Facebook should consider raising the minimum number of targeted audience members for ads — so that we're dealing with a more common political conversation, and not a different one for each household."
The FEC's Weintraub has urged tech companies to take an aggressive stand against microtargeting potential voters with ads. In an opinion piece for The Washington Post last November, Weintraub wrote, "Microtargeting by foreign and domestic actors in 2016 proved to be a potent weapon for spreading disinformation and sowing discord."
Facebook promises that its approach will bring "unprecedented transparency and control for political ads." The company plans to add a new control in early summer that will let users cut down on the number of political and social issue ads they see, on both Facebook and Instagram. Its users can also search its Ad Library for details such as the size of an ad's audience, and where those people live.
"The expanded transparency features will roll out in the first quarter of 2020 and will apply in all countries where we facilitate 'Paid for by' disclaimers on ads," Facebook says.
But those solutions don't satisfy critics who say the platform's users still won't be able to opt out completely and block all political ads. Experts also note that the tools Facebook is giving to its users can be complicated to use and can be easily overlooked as just another "terms of service" bulletin.
"More transparency and user control over advertising is an undeniably good thing, but this policy still doesn't go far enough," says Nina Jankowicz, who studies technology and politics as the Disinformation Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
Jankowicz says that while Facebook is giving people more control of the political ads they see, many users could have trouble navigating its tools.
"How many people understand the way microtargeting works, let alone Facebook's Custom Audience feature, which allows advertisers to target on an even more precise level?" she asks.
Jankowicz says Facebook should offer the controls in an easy-to-use design and do more to educate its more than 2 billion users about what the changes mean. And she believes people who are on Facebook should regularly review how their profiles handle politics.
"Like democratic discourse, this should be a feature that users are constantly interacting with and adjusting based on their own inclinations and personal experiences on the site," she says. "Based on Facebook's track record with features like these, I'm not sure that's going to happen."
As Facebook's Leathern discussed the company's ad policy, he also acknowledged those who are unhappy with its practices.
"We recognize this is an issue that has provoked much public discussion — including much criticism of Facebook's position," Leathern wrote. "We are not deaf to that and will continue to work with regulators and policymakers in our ongoing efforts to help protect elections."


npr--2020-01-09--Pelosi Signals An End To Her Hold On Articles Of Impeachment

Pelosi Signals An End To Her Hold On Articles Of Impeachment House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said she expects to release her hold on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump `` soon , '' but for now , she is still holding out to learn more about how Republicans plan to conduct a Senate trial .
`` No , I 'm not holding them indefinitely , '' Pelosi told reporters Thursday at a weekly press conference .
`` I 'll send them over when I 'm ready .
That will probably be soon . ''
Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the timing , saying Democrats want to know what Senate Republicans are `` willing to do and when they 're willing to do it . ''
Republicans have criticized Pelosi for refusing to take the procedural action of sending the articles to the Senate .
The House approved the two articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — largely along party lines on Dec. 18 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , attempted to force Pelosi to drop her hold on Tuesday when he announced plans to approve Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pelosi reiterated Thursday that she wants more information on what those rules would include .
But she also indicated that she was not planning a fight over the details .
`` All we want to know is what are the rules , it does n't mean we have to agree to the rules or we have to like the rules , '' she said .
`` We just want to know what they are . ''
At the core of the disagreement is who — if anyone — would act as witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal on that upfront , while McConnell wants to sort the issue with additional votes after the first phase of the trial , including opening arguments and a period allowing written questions from senators to both the prosecution and the defense .
Democrats want to call four witnesses , including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton .
They also want an agreement to admit new reporting that has been released in recent weeks on the timing of Trump 's decision to end a hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hold on the articles was designed to give Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , more time and space to build pressure on McConnell to include witness testimony as part of the rules governing the process .
McConnell has defended his proposed approach , saying it mirrors the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
Democrats say it is an unfair comparison because during the Clinton trial , the Senate was considering re-calling witnesses who had already testified before the House .
This time , Democrats want to hear from people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will not let them say this is just like Clinton .
Fair is fair — it is not , '' Pelosi said .
`` Documentation , facts , witnesses , truth .
That 's what they 're afraid of . ''
As she held back , a small group of Senate Republican moderates did express interest in hearing from witnesses , but they ultimately backed McConnell 's framework .
Schumer would need four GOP senators to join with the entire Democratic caucus to foil McConnell 's strategy of passing rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been unable to persuade any to break with the top Republican leader .
Pressure on Pelosi began to grow from fellow Democrats soon after it became clear they would not be able to force McConnell to negotiate on the terms of a trial .
`` I respect the fact that she is concerned about the fact about whether or not there will be a fair trial .
But I do think it is time to get on with it , '' Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, told Politico on Wednesday .

Pelosi Signals An End To Her Hold On Articles Of Impeachment
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she expects to release her hold on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump "soon," but for now, she is still holding out to learn more about how Republicans plan to conduct a Senate trial.
"No, I'm not holding them indefinitely," Pelosi told reporters Thursday at a weekly press conference. "I'll send them over when I'm ready. That will probably be soon."
Pelosi refused to give any additional information about the timing, saying Democrats want to know what Senate Republicans are "willing to do and when they're willing to do it."
Republicans have criticized Pelosi for refusing to take the procedural action of sending the articles to the Senate. The House approved the two articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — largely along party lines on Dec. 18.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., attempted to force Pelosi to drop her hold on Tuesday when he announced plans to approve Senate trial rules without the help of Democrats.
Pelosi reiterated Thursday that she wants more information on what those rules would include. But she also indicated that she was not planning a fight over the details.
"All we want to know is what are the rules, it doesn't mean we have to agree to the rules or we have to like the rules," she said. "We just want to know what they are."
At the core of the disagreement is who — if anyone — would act as witnesses during the trial. Democrats want a deal on that upfront, while McConnell wants to sort the issue with additional votes after the first phase of the trial, including opening arguments and a period allowing written questions from senators to both the prosecution and the defense.
Democrats want to call four witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton. They also want an agreement to admit new reporting that has been released in recent weeks on the timing of Trump's decision to end a hold on foreign aide to Ukraine.
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Pelosi's hold on the articles was designed to give Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., more time and space to build pressure on McConnell to include witness testimony as part of the rules governing the process.
McConnell has defended his proposed approach, saying it mirrors the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Democrats say it is an unfair comparison because during the Clinton trial, the Senate was considering re-calling witnesses who had already testified before the House. This time, Democrats want to hear from people whose testimony the Trump administration has blocked.
"We will not let them say this is just like Clinton. Fair is fair — it is not," Pelosi said. "Documentation, facts, witnesses, truth. That's what they're afraid of."
As she held back, a small group of Senate Republican moderates did express interest in hearing from witnesses, but they ultimately backed McConnell's framework.
Schumer would need four GOP senators to join with the entire Democratic caucus to foil McConnell's strategy of passing rules without sorting the witnesses. He has been unable to persuade any to break with the top Republican leader.
Pressure on Pelosi began to grow from fellow Democrats soon after it became clear they would not be able to force McConnell to negotiate on the terms of a trial.
"I respect the fact that she is concerned about the fact about whether or not there will be a fair trial. But I do think it is time to get on with it," Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told Politico on Wednesday.


npr--2020-01-09--Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran. Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict Escalated

Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran .
Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict Escalated The U.S. killing of senior Iranian military commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani left many of America 's allies in the Middle East confused and nervous .
That includes Saudi Arabia , the top regional rival of Iran .
The Saudi-U.S. relationship has become particularly close since President Trump took office .
It could prove to be a double-edged sword for the kingdom , analysts say , as Iran contemplates its next moves .
Iran and Saudi Arabia have long battled for regional dominance , and the U.S. has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran-backed Houthi forces .
Trump made a speech Wednesday that seemed intended to avert a war with Iran .
There had been signs Saudi Arabia and Iran were already trying to ease tensions .
But that was before the U.S. killed Soleimani and Iran fired missiles at bases housing U.S. troops in retaliation .
`` The Saudis are in a very tough spot , almost entirely of the Americans ' making , '' says Henry Rome , an Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group , a global political risk consultancy .
Following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispatched its deputy defense minister , Prince Khalid bin Salman , to meet with Trump on Monday .
The White House did not announce the meeting — word of it only became public when Khalid tweeted about it .
He said he discussed `` bilateral cooperation , including efforts to confront regional and international challenges . ''
Rome does not think Iran is likely to attack Saudi Arabia directly — but said Iran might try to target U.S. facilities in Saudi Arabia .
`` Where the Saudi concern lies is if this [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very significantly , that Iran would start to look at countries that are allied with the U.S. or provide bases or other assistance to the U.S. as potential targets , '' says Rome .
He points to a recent incident that caused alarm .
In September , a main installation and an oil field at the giant state-owned oil company , Saudi Aramco , were hit by a series of explosions .
Saudi Arabia 's military said the attack from cruise missiles and drones was `` unquestionably '' sponsored by Iran .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's oil industry , laying bare vulnerabilities in its defenses .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to Saudi Arabia and declared the assault an `` act of war '' by Iran .
Rome says the kingdom was surprised there was no military response from the Trump administration after the oil attack .
`` I think it became very clear to the leadership in Riyadh that Washington does not have its back from a military point of view and that they need to urgently try another avenue , '' he says .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saudi oil , the kingdom focused on trying to de-escalate tension in the Persian Gulf region , according to Emily Hawthorne , a Middle East specialist at Stratfor , a geopolitical intelligence company .
`` We have seen the Saudis back away from what was once a pretty sharply confrontational stance against Iran , '' Hawthorne says .
`` We 've seen them move more toward beginning to probe the idea of seeking a dialogue with Iran . ''
The Saudi Embassy in Washington , D.C. , did not immediately provide comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hawthorne says Riyadh `` craves '' stability , not just for the kingdom 's physical security , but also because it will help court foreign investment — a critical component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 's efforts to wean Saudi Arabia off its oil dependency .
Hawthorne says Saudi Arabia is following the example of its Gulf neighbor , the United Arab Emirates , which will host Expo 2020 , a world 's fair , next fall and wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch .
She says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian officials .
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have national safety as a priority , she says .
`` The Arab Gulf states are closest allies of the United States , but they ca n't control exactly how the U.S. is conducting its policy against Iran , '' she says .
She says Saudi Arabia 's efforts toward a Saudi-Iranian detente are in a very early stage and being mediated by other countries , such as Pakistan and Iraq .
In fact , Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi told parliament last Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia .
He said Soleimani had been bringing a message from Iran for the Saudis on the day he was killed in Baghdad .
Pompeo threw cold water on any notion that Soleimani was on a diplomatic mission .
`` Is there any history that would indicate that it was remotely possible that this kind gentleman , this diplomat of great order , Qassem Soleimani , had traveled to Baghdad for the idea of conducting a peace mission ? ''
he said on Tuesday .
`` We know that was n't true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it conducted the drone strike against Soleimani to prevent planned attacks against Americans .
Trita Parsi , an executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft , says there have been tangible signs that Saudi Arabia was serious about cooling tensions with Iranian proxies , such as the Yemeni rebels known as the Houthis .
`` We saw an 80 % reduction in Saudi airstrikes on Yemen .
We saw talks between the Houthis and the Saudis , which led to an exchange of more than 100 prisoners of war , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we apparently also saw that there were messages being sent between ... the Saudis and Iran . ''
In his televised speech Wednesday , Trump said that Iran 's attacks earlier in the day in Iraq did not harm any Americans and that the country appears `` to be standing down . ''
If tensions do de-escalate , the analysts agree , there 's still a chance that attempts for a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia can resume .

Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran. Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict Escalated
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mohamed Al Hammadi/AP Mohamed Al Hammadi/AP
The U.S. killing of senior Iranian military commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani left many of America's allies in the Middle East confused and nervous. That includes Saudi Arabia, the top regional rival of Iran.
The Saudi-U.S. relationship has become particularly close since President Trump took office. It could prove to be a double-edged sword for the kingdom, analysts say, as Iran contemplates its next moves. Iran and Saudi Arabia have long battled for regional dominance, and the U.S. has supported the Saudi-led war in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi forces.
Trump made a speech Wednesday that seemed intended to avert a war with Iran. There had been signs Saudi Arabia and Iran were already trying to ease tensions. But that was before the U.S. killed Soleimani and Iran fired missiles at bases housing U.S. troops in retaliation.
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"The Saudis are in a very tough spot, almost entirely of the Americans' making," says Henry Rome, an Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group, a global political risk consultancy.
Following the assassination of Soleimani, the Saudi kingdom dispatched its deputy defense minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, to meet with Trump on Monday. The White House did not announce the meeting — word of it only became public when Khalid tweeted about it. He said he discussed "bilateral cooperation, including efforts to confront regional and international challenges."
Rome does not think Iran is likely to attack Saudi Arabia directly — but said Iran might try to target U.S. facilities in Saudi Arabia.
"Where the Saudi concern lies is if this [Iranian and U.S. reciprocal retaliation] escalates very significantly, that Iran would start to look at countries that are allied with the U.S. or provide bases or other assistance to the U.S. as potential targets," says Rome.
He points to a recent incident that caused alarm. In September, a main installation and an oil field at the giant state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, were hit by a series of explosions. Saudi Arabia's military said the attack from cruise missiles and drones was "unquestionably" sponsored by Iran. The hit temporarily disabled part of the country's oil industry, laying bare vulnerabilities in its defenses.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to Saudi Arabia and declared the assault an "act of war" by Iran.
Rome says the kingdom was surprised there was no military response from the Trump administration after the oil attack.
"I think it became very clear to the leadership in Riyadh that Washington does not have its back from a military point of view and that they need to urgently try another avenue," he says.
That avenue was diplomacy. After the attack on Saudi oil, the kingdom focused on trying to de-escalate tension in the Persian Gulf region, according to Emily Hawthorne, a Middle East specialist at Stratfor, a geopolitical intelligence company.
"We have seen the Saudis back away from what was once a pretty sharply confrontational stance against Iran," Hawthorne says. "We've seen them move more toward beginning to probe the idea of seeking a dialogue with Iran."
The Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately provide comment to NPR on possible dialogue with Iran.
Hawthorne says Riyadh "craves" stability, not just for the kingdom's physical security, but also because it will help court foreign investment — a critical component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to wean Saudi Arabia off its oil dependency.
Hawthorne says Saudi Arabia is following the example of its Gulf neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, which will host Expo 2020, a world's fair, next fall and wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch. She says the UAE has started a dialogue with Iranian officials. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have national safety as a priority, she says.
"The Arab Gulf states are closest allies of the United States, but they can't control exactly how the U.S. is conducting its policy against Iran," she says.
She says Saudi Arabia's efforts toward a Saudi-Iranian detente are in a very early stage and being mediated by other countries, such as Pakistan and Iraq.
In fact, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi told parliament last Sunday that he was mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He said Soleimani had been bringing a message from Iran for the Saudis on the day he was killed in Baghdad.
Pompeo threw cold water on any notion that Soleimani was on a diplomatic mission. "Is there any history that would indicate that it was remotely possible that this kind gentleman, this diplomat of great order, Qassem Soleimani, had traveled to Baghdad for the idea of conducting a peace mission?" he said on Tuesday. "We know that wasn't true."
The Trump administration has said it conducted the drone strike against Soleimani to prevent planned attacks against Americans.
Trita Parsi, an executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, says there have been tangible signs that Saudi Arabia was serious about cooling tensions with Iranian proxies, such as the Yemeni rebels known as the Houthis.
"We saw an 80% reduction in Saudi airstrikes on Yemen. We saw talks between the Houthis and the Saudis, which led to an exchange of more than 100 prisoners of war," he says. "And now we apparently also saw that there were messages being sent between ... the Saudis and Iran."
In his televised speech Wednesday, Trump said that Iran's attacks earlier in the day in Iraq did not harm any Americans and that the country appears "to be standing down."
If tensions do de-escalate, the analysts agree, there's still a chance that attempts for a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia can resume.


npr--2020-01-09--Polly Share A Cracker? Parrots Can Practice Acts Of Kindness, Study Finds

Parrots can perform impressive feats of intelligence , and a new study suggests that some of these `` feathered apes '' may also practice acts of kindness .
African grey parrots voluntarily helped a partner get a food reward by giving the other bird a valuable metal token that could be exchanged for a walnut , according to a newly published report in the journal Current Biology .
`` This was really surprising that they did this so spontaneously and so readily , '' says Désirée Brucks , a biologist at ETH Zürich in Switzerland who is interested in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 1 seem highly motivated to help others , and scientists used to think this kind of prosocial behavior was uniquely human .
More recent research has explored `` helping '' behavior in other species , everything from nonhuman primates to rats and bats .
To see whether intelligent birds might help out a feathered pal , Brucks and Auguste von Bayern of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany tested African grey parrots .
They used parrots that had previously been trained to understand that specific tokens , in the form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traded for a food treat through an exchange window .
In their experiment , this exchange window was covered up and closed on one bird 's cage , making it impossible for that bird to trade .
The bird had a pile of tokens in its cage but no way to use them .
Meanwhile , its neighbor in an adjacent cage had an open exchange window — but no tokens for food .
After sizing up the situation , the token-rich bird would help out its pal by passing tokens through an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the bird shared even though it did n't partake in the walnut payoff .
`` The African greys gave the token beak-to-beak with their partner , '' Brucks says .
`` It was not just one token .
Many of them transferred all 10 tokens , one after the other , always watching how their partner got the food for it , whereas they themselves did not get anything . ''
Later , scientists reversed birds ' roles to see if the recipient of this generosity would pay back those favors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very first trial , they could not have known that the roles would be reversed afterward , '' says Brucks , who notes that the parrots seemed to have an intrinsic desire to help out their partner .
The eight birds tested all knew each other and lived in the same social group .
It seems that the birds were n't just being playful with the tokens , but really understood when and why the token was needed .
That 's because the birds would rarely pass a token over if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
This study is a starting point to explore what exactly is going on in the birds ' minds , Brucks says .
A similar study in ravens did not find this effect .
And when Brucks tested blue-headed macaws , they were n't helpful either .
The macaws tried to bring the tokens as close as possible to the experimenter but did not transfer the token to the partner , Brucks says .
`` We are really interested in this topic , and it 's an important topic .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to design an experiment to truly demonstrate what is truly going on with these animals , '' says Irene Pepperberg , a Harvard researcher whose work with a famous African grey parrot named Alex helped reveal the sophisticated cognitive abilities of these birds .
Pepperberg has also done experiments to test African greys ' willingness to help , using a different setup , and found that one parrot appeared to have some understanding of sharing — but it did n't seem like the parrots were spontaneously super-altruistic .
Still , Peggy Mason of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new study in parrots is striking .
`` When they gave the token , the other bird was getting the food and they were not , '' Mason says .
`` I think they had the sense that this was a useful token , and that this token would turn into food for the other bird .
It 's very shocking .
It 's surprisingly giving , just because the only thing the bird doing it gets is that warm glow of helping . ''

Polly Share A Cracker? Parrots Can Practice Acts Of Kindness, Study Finds
Enlarge this image toggle caption Henry Lok/EyeEm/Getty Images Henry Lok/EyeEm/Getty Images
Parrots can perform impressive feats of intelligence, and a new study suggests that some of these "feathered apes" may also practice acts of kindness.
African grey parrots voluntarily helped a partner get a food reward by giving the other bird a valuable metal token that could be exchanged for a walnut, according to a newly published report in the journal Current Biology.
"This was really surprising that they did this so spontaneously and so readily," says Désirée Brucks, a biologist at ETH Zürich in Switzerland who is interested in the evolution of altruism.
Children as young as 1 seem highly motivated to help others, and scientists used to think this kind of prosocial behavior was uniquely human. More recent research has explored "helping" behavior in other species, everything from nonhuman primates to rats and bats.
To see whether intelligent birds might help out a feathered pal, Brucks and Auguste von Bayern of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany tested African grey parrots. They used parrots that had previously been trained to understand that specific tokens, in the form of small metal rings, could be traded for a food treat through an exchange window.
In their experiment, this exchange window was covered up and closed on one bird's cage, making it impossible for that bird to trade. The bird had a pile of tokens in its cage but no way to use them. Meanwhile, its neighbor in an adjacent cage had an open exchange window — but no tokens for food.
After sizing up the situation, the token-rich bird would help out its pal by passing tokens through an opening between the two bird enclosures. And the bird shared even though it didn't partake in the walnut payoff.
"The African greys gave the token beak-to-beak with their partner," Brucks says. "It was not just one token. Many of them transferred all 10 tokens, one after the other, always watching how their partner got the food for it, whereas they themselves did not get anything."
Later, scientists reversed birds' roles to see if the recipient of this generosity would pay back those favors. And the birds did.
"In the very first trial, they could not have known that the roles would be reversed afterward," says Brucks, who notes that the parrots seemed to have an intrinsic desire to help out their partner. The eight birds tested all knew each other and lived in the same social group.
It seems that the birds weren't just being playful with the tokens, but really understood when and why the token was needed. That's because the birds would rarely pass a token over if the neighbor bird's exchange window was closed up.
This study is a starting point to explore what exactly is going on in the birds' minds, Brucks says.
A similar study in ravens did not find this effect. And when Brucks tested blue-headed macaws, they weren't helpful either. The macaws tried to bring the tokens as close as possible to the experimenter but did not transfer the token to the partner, Brucks says.
"We are really interested in this topic, and it's an important topic. The problem is it's very, very hard to design an experiment to truly demonstrate what is truly going on with these animals," says Irene Pepperberg, a Harvard researcher whose work with a famous African grey parrot named Alex helped reveal the sophisticated cognitive abilities of these birds.
Pepperberg has also done experiments to test African greys' willingness to help, using a different setup, and found that one parrot appeared to have some understanding of sharing — but it didn't seem like the parrots were spontaneously super-altruistic.
Still, Peggy Mason of the University of Chicago believes that this new study in parrots is striking.
"When they gave the token, the other bird was getting the food and they were not," Mason says. "I think they had the sense that this was a useful token, and that this token would turn into food for the other bird. It's very shocking. It's surprisingly giving, just because the only thing the bird doing it gets is that warm glow of helping."


npr--2020-01-09--Trump Administration Proposes Major Changes To Bedrock Environmental Law

In one of his most sweeping environmental proposals so far , President Trump says he wants to streamline an `` outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process '' that can delay major infrastructure projects for years .
Supporters from the fossil fuel , construction , ranching and other industries welcome the move , which they 've long sought .
Environmental groups warn it would sideline the climate impacts of highways , pipelines and other projects , and they promise a legal challenge .
The proposal would put new limits on implementation of the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in decades .
As one of the country 's bedrock environmental laws , it requires federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of proposed projects before they are approved .
It also gives the public and interest groups the ability to comment on those evaluations .
`` America is a nation of builders , '' Trump said announcing the move at the White House , whose `` gleaming new infrastructure '' used to be the envy of the world .
Now , he said , too much red tape has delayed some projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updating , making the U.S. `` like a Third World country .
It 's really sad . ''
A key part of the administration 's proposal centers on whether agencies must consider the cumulative environmental effects of things like pipelines , which have attracted protests by climate activists across the country .
Under the new limits , federal agencies would only need to consider effects that are `` reasonably foreseeable '' and have a `` close causal relationship '' to the project .
That could mean simply the impact of building the pipeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the impact of the oil and gas that would flow through it , to help the country plan for limiting the carbon dioxide emissions that warm the climate .
Mary Neumayr , chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality , says the average times for agencies to complete an environmental impact statement is 4 1/2 years , and it is even longer for highway projects , which average seven years .
This delay , she says , `` deprives Americans of the benefits of modernized bridges and roads that enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Industry groups say streamlining NEPA regulations would lead to more and better-paying jobs , as long-delayed projects could be built .
In a letter to the administration last year , they said every $ 1 billion spent on infrastructure leads to 13,000 jobs .
Environmental groups also criticize a proposed two-year time limit for agencies to issue comprehensive environmental impact statements and restrictions on public comments , including topics covered and how quickly they have to be submitted .
The proposal would also give federal agencies more power to resolve disputes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the projects that are subject to NEPA review .
For example , it would exempt `` non-federal '' projects with little government funding .
In another controversial change , companies could essentially conduct their own environmental reviews .
`` This is a clearly a conflict of interest , '' says Christy Goldfuss , senior vice president at Center for American Progress .
She was a managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama administration .
`` It 's baffling that the Trump administration thinks handing the keys of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass muster , '' says Goldfuss .
The White House CEQ will collect public comments for at least 60 days before making the rule final .
But there are hurdles that could keep it from taking effect .
For one thing , if Trump loses his re-election bid , it 's likely that the next president will drop the revised rules .
Even if he wins , environmental groups are expected to file legal challenges .
And experts point out that the actual underlying law remains the same .
`` The law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of their actions that significantly affect 'the quality of the human environment , ' `` says Bruce Huber of Notre Dame Law School .
`` If the regulations announced today drive agencies to diminish the extent or quality of their reporting , federal courts may very well conclude that their reports do not comply with the law . ''

Trump Administration Proposes Major Changes To Bedrock Environmental Law
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Mone/AP Jim Mone/AP
Updated at 1:40 E.T.
In one of his most sweeping environmental proposals so far, President Trump says he wants to streamline an "outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process" that can delay major infrastructure projects for years.
Supporters from the fossil fuel, construction, ranching and other industries welcome the move, which they've long sought. Environmental groups warn it would sideline the climate impacts of highways, pipelines and other projects, and they promise a legal challenge.
The proposal would put new limits on implementation of the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, which has not been updated in decades. As one of the country's bedrock environmental laws, it requires federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of proposed projects before they are approved. It also gives the public and interest groups the ability to comment on those evaluations.
"America is a nation of builders," Trump said announcing the move at the White House, whose "gleaming new infrastructure" used to be the envy of the world. Now, he said, too much red tape has delayed some projects and left others in dire need of updating, making the U.S. "like a Third World country. It's really sad."
A key part of the administration's proposal centers on whether agencies must consider the cumulative environmental effects of things like pipelines, which have attracted protests by climate activists across the country.
Under the new limits, federal agencies would only need to consider effects that are "reasonably foreseeable" and have a "close causal relationship" to the project. That could mean simply the impact of building the pipeline.
Environmental groups say agencies should also consider the impact of the oil and gas that would flow through it, to help the country plan for limiting the carbon dioxide emissions that warm the climate.
Mary Neumayr, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, says the average times for agencies to complete an environmental impact statement is 4 1/2 years, and it is even longer for highway projects, which average seven years.
This delay, she says, "deprives Americans of the benefits of modernized bridges and roads that enable them to get home to their families."
Industry groups say streamlining NEPA regulations would lead to more and better-paying jobs, as long-delayed projects could be built. In a letter to the administration last year, they said every $1 billion spent on infrastructure leads to 13,000 jobs.
Environmental groups also criticize a proposed two-year time limit for agencies to issue comprehensive environmental impact statements and restrictions on public comments, including topics covered and how quickly they have to be submitted.
The proposal would also give federal agencies more power to resolve disputes that could delay a project and limit the projects that are subject to NEPA review. For example, it would exempt "non-federal" projects with little government funding.
In another controversial change, companies could essentially conduct their own environmental reviews.
"This is a clearly a conflict of interest," says Christy Goldfuss, senior vice president at Center for American Progress. She was a managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama administration.
"It's baffling that the Trump administration thinks handing the keys of environmental review to big polluters is going to pass muster," says Goldfuss.
The White House CEQ will collect public comments for at least 60 days before making the rule final. But there are hurdles that could keep it from taking effect.
For one thing, if Trump loses his re-election bid, it's likely that the next president will drop the revised rules. Even if he wins, environmental groups are expected to file legal challenges. And experts point out that the actual underlying law remains the same.
"The law require federal agencies to report the environmental impacts of their actions that significantly affect 'the quality of the human environment,' " says Bruce Huber of Notre Dame Law School. "If the regulations announced today drive agencies to diminish the extent or quality of their reporting, federal courts may very well conclude that their reports do not comply with the law."


npr--2020-01-09--U-Haul's Nicotine-Free Hiring Rule Reflects A Trend That Troubles Workers' Advocates

When U-Haul recently announced it will no longer hire people who use nicotine in any form in the 21 states where such hiring policies are legal , the Phoenix-based moving company joined a cadre of companies with nicotine-free hiring policies .
U-Haul 's announcement is receiving outsize attention because nicotine-free hiring policies are more common at high-profile hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic that are especially protective of their healthy image .
Alaska Airlines has one of the oldest nicotine-free hiring policies , going back to 1985 .
But at the time , a big part of the stated reasoning was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking smoke breaks .
Now , some employers are making the policy change simply citing health concerns or health care costs — even the city of Dayton , Ohio , has joined the movement .
But the policies are raising concern around labor and medical ethics .
Harald Schmidt , a medical ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania , says targeting smokers disproportionately harms poor people .
`` To me , this is more about fair equality of opportunity , '' he says .
Smoking is a behavior , so Schmidt does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of race , gender or sexual orientation .
But he notes that roughly half of unemployed people smoke .
And quitting is hard , because many are addicted .
`` You 're basically posing a double whammy on them , '' he says .
`` It 's very hard for them to get work , and it 's even harder for people who are already in a vulnerable situation . ''
Karen Buesing of the law firm Akerman represents employers and works with them on smoking policies .
She says employers are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Employers do have some concern about productivity and absenteeism , she says .
But it 's more about the risks of cancer and heart and lung disease .
`` Obviously , there are higher health care costs associated with smokers .
And so many companies would much prefer to have a nonsmoking workforce , '' she says .
The corporate cost per smoker is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars per year , though some experts have questioned the accuracy of the figures .
Buesing says discrimination of any kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states do n't realize they can reject applicants for being smokers .
And it 's not allowed everywhere : 29 states and the District of Columbia have various laws that safeguard `` off-duty '' activity .
Many of these laws were passed in recent decades specifically to shield smokers .
`` In that context , you now have protections for smokers , '' Buesing says of the 29 states .
`` Certainly under federal law , smokers are not a protected class . ''
A 2017 Gallup Poll found that more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against for their nicotine habit .
`` Even when I was doing temporary work , people would be like , 'You 're going on break ?
Are you going to smoke ? '
`` says Carl Carter of Nashville , Tenn. , who is currently on disability benefits and not working .
`` I should have the right to do what I want to do . ''
It 's not that he does n't want to quit .
He has tried eight times , most recently on New Year 's Day .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor groups have not fought nicotine-free hiring policies , but Edgar Ndjatou , executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Workplace Fairness , calls smoker hiring bans `` problematic . ''
`` Someone who uses tobacco could potentially have some form of disability , '' he says , adding that addiction could be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act .
`` I would argue that these types of bans have to be reasoned . ''
Ndjatou and other critics ask , what 's next ?
Will nicotine-free hiring lead to more policing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Bales thinks so .
`` I think that it 's interesting that they are demonizing one over the other , and I 'll specifically use alcohol , '' he says on a vaping break outside his office in Nashville .
`` How can you ban one substance without banning the other one ? ''
The American Civil Liberties Union has come out against nicotine-free hiring , calling it `` discrimination . ''
The organization is critical of other forms of what it calls `` lifestyle discrimination . ''
`` Should an employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going skiing ?
or riding a bicycle ?
or sunbathing on a Saturday afternoon ? ''
an ACLU legislative briefing asks .
`` All of these activities entail a health risk . ''
But companies rejecting smokers point out that tobacco is the most preventable cause of cancer and lung disease .
And the employers are the ones who will likely have to pay much of the bills .
Still , attorney Buesing does n't expect the U-Haul announcement to unleash a flood of similar policies .
She says rewarding healthy behavior is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many employers .
U-Haul says its policy will not apply to existing workers .
The company employs 30,000 people around the country with 4,000 at its headquarters .
Going forward , U-Haul will screen new hires and require them to consent to future drug testing for nicotine , though it 's unclear how that would affect workers who use nicotine gum or patches .
`` This policy is a responsible step in fostering a culture of wellness at U-Haul , with the goal of helping our Team Members on their health journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release .
This story comes from NPR 's reporting partnership with Nashville Public Radio and Kaiser Health News .

U-Haul's Nicotine-Free Hiring Rule Reflects A Trend That Troubles Workers' Advocates
Enlarge this image toggle caption boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images
When U-Haul recently announced it will no longer hire people who use nicotine in any form in the 21 states where such hiring policies are legal, the Phoenix-based moving company joined a cadre of companies with nicotine-free hiring policies.
U-Haul's announcement is receiving outsize attention because nicotine-free hiring policies are more common at high-profile hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic that are especially protective of their healthy image.
Alaska Airlines has one of the oldest nicotine-free hiring policies, going back to 1985. But at the time, a big part of the stated reasoning was that the industry isn't conducive to taking smoke breaks.
Now, some employers are making the policy change simply citing health concerns or health care costs — even the city of Dayton, Ohio, has joined the movement.
But the policies are raising concern around labor and medical ethics. Harald Schmidt, a medical ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania, says targeting smokers disproportionately harms poor people.
"To me, this is more about fair equality of opportunity," he says.
Smoking is a behavior, so Schmidt doesn't equate it with discriminating on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation. But he notes that nearly half of unemployed people smoke. And quitting is hard, because many are addicted.
"You're basically posing a double whammy on them," he says. "It's very hard for them to get work, and it's even harder for people who are already in a vulnerable situation."
Karen Buesing of the law firm Akerman represents employers and works with them on smoking policies. She says employers are looking out for the health of their employees.
Employers do have some concern about productivity and absenteeism, she says. But it's more about the risks of cancer and heart and lung disease.
"Obviously, there are higher health care costs associated with smokers. And so many companies would much prefer to have a nonsmoking workforce," she says.
The corporate cost per smoker is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars per year, though some experts have questioned the accuracy of the figures.
Buesing says discrimination of any kind is so taboo that employers in many states don't realize they can reject applicants for being smokers. And it's not allowed everywhere: 29 states and the District of Columbia have various laws that safeguard "off-duty" activity. Many of these laws were passed in recent decades specifically to shield smokers.
"In that context, you now have protections for smokers," Buesing says of the 29 states. "Certainly under federal law, smokers are not a protected class."
A 2017 Gallup Poll found that more than half of American smokers feel they're discriminated against for their nicotine habit.
"Even when I was doing temporary work, people would be like, 'You're going on break? Are you going to smoke?' " says Carl Carter of Nashville, Tenn., who is currently on disability benefits and not working. "I should have the right to do what I want to do."
It's not that he doesn't want to quit. He has tried eight times, most recently on New Year's Day. But the habit is hard to beat.
Labor groups have not fought nicotine-free hiring policies, but Edgar Ndjatou, executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Workplace Fairness, calls smoker hiring bans "problematic."
"Someone who uses tobacco could potentially have some form of disability," he says, adding that addiction could be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. "I would argue that these types of bans have to be reasoned."
Ndjatou and other critics ask, what's next? Will nicotine-free hiring lead to more policing of worker health?
IT administrator and vaper Scott Bales thinks so.
"I think that it's interesting that they are demonizing one over the other, and I'll specifically use alcohol," he says on a vaping break outside his office in Nashville. "How can you ban one substance without banning the other one?"
The American Civil Liberties Union has come out against nicotine-free hiring, calling it "discrimination." The organization is critical of other forms of what it calls "lifestyle discrimination."
"Should an employer be able to forbid an employee from going skiing? or riding a bicycle? or sunbathing on a Saturday afternoon?" an ACLU legislative briefing asks. "All of these activities entail a health risk."
But companies rejecting smokers point out that tobacco is the most preventable cause of cancer and lung disease. And the employers are the ones who will likely have to pay much of the bills.
Still, attorney Buesing doesn't expect the U-Haul announcement to unleash a flood of similar policies. She says rewarding healthy behavior is still seen as the most palatable approach by many employers.
U-Haul says its policy will not apply to existing workers. The company employs 30,000 people around the country with 4,000 at its headquarters. Going forward, U-Haul will screen new hires and require them to consent to future drug testing for nicotine, though it's unclear how that would affect workers who use nicotine gum or patches.
"This policy is a responsible step in fostering a culture of wellness at U-Haul, with the goal of helping our Team Members on their health journey," chief of staff Jessica Lopez said in a press release.
U-Haul declined NPR's interview request.
This story comes from NPR's reporting partnership with Nashville Public Radio and Kaiser Health News.


npr--2020-01-10--Enormous 'Mega-Fire' In Australia Engulfs 1.5 Million Acres

A pair of massive bushfires in southeastern Australia has merged into a `` mega-fire '' engulfing some 2,300 square miles – a single blaze more than three times as large as any known fire in California .
The merged fire , which straddles the country 's most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria , measures nearly 1.5 million acres , according to The Sydney Morning Herald .
It is just one of some 135 bushfires in Australia 's southeast that have claimed the lives of at least 26 people , killed more than a billion animals and damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , the unprecedented bushfires have swept through an area larger than Massachusetts and New Hampshire combined .
NASA has released an animation showing how smoke from the bushfires has reached the lower stratosphere and traveled as far away as Chile .
Meanwhile , more than 30,000 people attended a protest in Sydney to denounce the government 's handling of the crisis and to call for action on climate change .
The protesters directed their ire at Prime Minister Scott Morrison , whose coalition government 's policies have rejected a link between Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change .
However , the prime minister said this week that his government would launch an inquiry to examine whether there was any connection between the fires and climate change .
Asked whether he expected the current fire crisis to become commonplace in Australia due to climate change , he replied : `` The links and implications here have been acknowledged . ''
Morrison , who has also found himself on the defensive for taking a Hawaiian vacation with his family while the bushfires raged , also said Friday he had ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help firefighters .
`` I 've given them very clear instructions that they are to stand ready to move and support immediately , '' he said .
`` In the event that they are needed in the wake of what we hope we will not see today , but we must prepare for today . ''
Authorities in Australia on Friday urged a quarter of a million people in Victoria to leave their homes amid erratic winds and soaring temperatures , even as there was welcome rain in some parts affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of being cut off and C-130 tankers unleashed torrents of fire retardant .
Fire crews were preparing for what they believe will be a difficult night as the wind shifts and ramps up to 50 miles per hour .
In parts of the fire-affected countryside , temperatures pegged out at 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday .
Firefighter Andrew Beville , who was battling the Morton fire on the outskirts of the town of Penrose , near Wingello , told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he was n't sure what would happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We just want to survive the night , '' he said .
Towns south of Sydney , including Eden , Batemans Bay and Norwa were warned by New South Wales Rural Fire Service to be prepared for another onslaught , The Associated Press reports .
In neighboring Victoria , premier Daniel Andrews told reporters he was thankful that there were at present no one unaccounted for and no communities cut off in his state .
`` Now , all of those things can change and that is perhaps the most powerful reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` Please , listen to the warnings and do as you are asked .
If you are told to leave a community , and you can leave , then you should leave . ''
The conservation group WWF-Australia estimates that 1.25 billion animals have been killed in the bushfires and says it fears that some species , such as the glossy black-cockatoo and the knee-high kangaroo , face extinction .
Meanwhile , the government says the loss of livestock from the fires will exceed 100,000 animals .

Enormous 'Megafire' In Australia Engulfs 1.5 Million Acres
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via Reuters Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via Reuters
A pair of massive bushfires in southeastern Australia has merged into a "megafire" engulfing some 2,300 square miles — a single blaze more than three times as large as any known fire in California.
The merged fire, which straddles the country's most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria, measures nearly 1.5 million acres, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. It is just one of some 135 bushfires in Australia's southeast that have claimed the lives of at least 26 people, killed more than a billion animals and damaged or destroyed nearly 3,000 homes.
Since September, the unprecedented bushfires have swept through an area larger than Massachusetts and New Hampshire combined.
NASA has released an animation showing how smoke from the fires has reached the lower stratosphere and traveled as far away as Chile.
YouTube
Meanwhile, more than 30,000 people attended a protest in Sydney to denounce the government's handling of the crisis and to call for action on climate change.
The protesters directed their ire at Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose coalition government's policies have rejected a link between Australia's unprecedented drought and fires crisis and climate change.
However, the prime minister said this week that his government would launch an inquiry to examine whether there was any connection between the fires and climate change. Asked whether he expected the current fire crisis to become commonplace in Australia because of climate change, he replied: "The links and implications here have been acknowledged."
Morrison, who has also found himself on the defensive for taking a Hawaiian vacation with his family while the fires raged, also said Friday he had ordered the military to be on standby to help firefighters.
"I've given them very clear instructions that they are to stand ready to move and support immediately," he said. "In the event that they are needed in the wake of what we hope we will not see today, but we must prepare for today."
Authorities in Australia on Friday urged a quarter of a million people in Victoria to leave their homes amid erratic winds and soaring temperatures, even as there was welcome rain in some parts affected by the fires.
A few rain drops starting to fall but the wind is strong pic.twitter.com/6t3q6yJVLD — Mikaela Ortolan (@mikaelaortolann) January 10, 2020
Helicopters dropped supplies to towns at risk of being cut off and C-130 tankers unleashed torrents of fire retardant.
Fire crews were preparing for what they believe will be a difficult night as the wind shifts and ramps up to 50 miles per hour. In parts of the fire-affected countryside, temperatures pegged out at 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday.
Firefighter Andrew Beville, who was battling the Morton fire on the outskirts of the town of Penrose, near Wingello, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that he wasn't sure what would happen when the blaze reached the town.
"We just want to survive the night," he said.
Towns south of Sydney, including Eden, Batemans Bay and Norwa were warned by New South Wales Rural Fire Service to be prepared for another onslaught, The Associated Press reports.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rick Rycroft/AP Rick Rycroft/AP
In neighboring Victoria, premier Daniel Andrews told reporters he was thankful that there were at present no one unaccounted for and no communities cut off in his state.
"Now, all of those things can change and that is perhaps the most powerful reminder that we have to remain vigilant," he said. "Please, listen to the warnings and do as you are asked. If you are told to leave a community, and you can leave, then you should leave."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Reuters Reuters
The conservation group WWF-Australia estimates that 1.25 billion animals have been killed in the fires and says it fears that some species, such as the glossy black-cockatoo and the knee-high kangaroo, face local extinctions.
Meanwhile, the government says the loss of livestock from the fires will exceed 100,000 animals.


npr--2020-01-10--CBP Says Enforcement Actions At U.S.-Mexico Border Down For 7th Straight Month

CBP Says Enforcement Actions At U.S.-Mexico Border Down For 7th Straight Month Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended or refused entry to fewer people at the U.S.-Mexico border in December than in the previous month – the latest in a gradual downward trend since such enforcement actions reached a 13-year peak in May amid a Trump administration crackdown .
The decrease of 5 % in December , with 40,620 enforcement actions , from 42,651 in November , marks the seventh consecutive month of decline , CBP reports .
The agency says 32,858 individuals were apprehended crossing the border illegally and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of entry .
Those figures were down from 33,511 and 9,140 in November , respectively .
`` This seven month decline is a direct result of President Trump 's network of policy initiatives and our ability to effectively enforce the law , enhance our border security posture and properly care for those in custody , '' said CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan .
However , a comparison of Oct.-Dec. 2018 to the same period for 2019 for apprehensions in specific sectors along the border revealed a slightly more nuanced picture .
While apprehensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and families by 64 % , the number of single adults detained had increased by 3 % for the period , according to CBP data .
And while apprehensions had dropped in most border sectors , they showed a marked increase for unaccompanied minors and families in Laredo , Tex.
, and Tucson , Ariz. and for single adults in Laredo , Del Rio and El Paso in Texas , as well as San Diego .
Single adult apprehensions from Mexico far outpaced those from Central America in the last quarter of 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and families still came from Guatemala , with Honduras ranking second for the number of families detained .
Earlier this week , Mexico 's government expressed opposition to a White House plan to send asylum-seeking Mexicans to Guatemala rather than back to Mexico .
The plan is based on an interpretation of bilateral agreements the U.S. reached last year with Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador allowing Washington to send asylum-seekers back to those countries .
But last year , the U.S. began sending some from other Central American countries to Guatemala — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Washington that has actually begun accepting them .
Even so , outgoing Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said Wednesday that his government agreed only to take Salvadoran and Honduran asylum seekers from the U.S. , not those from Mexico .
He said he would leave the issue to his successor to sort out .
In its statement on Thursday , CBP also noted that it had intercepted 93,000 pounds of drugs `` nationwide '' in December , up 5 % from the previous month , and up 28 % from the same period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % increase in fentanyl seizures and a 27 % increase in heroin seizures from the previous year .
`` The cross-border smuggling of illegal drugs continues to threaten communities throughout our nation , '' said CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez .
`` The volume of drugs seized is a sober reminder that we are in the midst of a national security crisis on the Southwest Border . ''
Most of the heroin brought into the U.S. is produced in Mexico and comes across the southern border , while much of the illegal fentanyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S.-Mexico border .

CBP Says Enforcement Actions At U.S.-Mexico Border Down For 7th Straight Month
Enlarge this image toggle caption Veronica G. Cardenas/AP Veronica G. Cardenas/AP
Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended or refused entry to fewer people at the U.S.-Mexico border in December than in the previous month – the latest in a gradual downward trend since such enforcement actions reached a 13-year peak in May amid a Trump administration crackdown.
The decrease of 5% in December, with 40,620 enforcement actions, from 42,651 in November, marks the seventh consecutive month of decline, CBP reports. The agency says 32,858 individuals were apprehended crossing the border illegally and 7,762 were deemed inadmissible at legal ports of entry. Those figures were down from 33,511 and 9,140 in November, respectively.
"This seven month decline is a direct result of President Trump's network of policy initiatives and our ability to effectively enforce the law, enhance our border security posture and properly care for those in custody," said CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan.
However, a comparison of Oct.-Dec. 2018 to the same period for 2019 for apprehensions in specific sectors along the border revealed a slightly more nuanced picture.
While apprehensions of unaccompanied minors were down 37% and families by 64%, the number of single adults detained had increased by 3% for the period, according to CBP data. And while apprehensions had dropped in most border sectors, they showed a marked increase for unaccompanied minors and families in Laredo, Tex., and Tucson, Ariz. and for single adults in Laredo, Del Rio and El Paso in Texas, as well as San Diego.
Single adult apprehensions from Mexico far outpaced those from Central America in the last quarter of 2019, but most of the unaccompanied minors and families still came from Guatemala, with Honduras ranking second for the number of families detained.
Earlier this week, Mexico's government expressed opposition to a White House plan to send asylum-seeking Mexicans to Guatemala rather than back to Mexico.
The plan is based on an interpretation of bilateral agreements the U.S. reached last year with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador allowing Washington to send asylum-seekers back to those countries. But last year, the U.S. began sending some from other Central American countries to Guatemala — the only country that made the agreement with Washington that has actually begun accepting them.
Even so, outgoing Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said Wednesday that his government agreed only to take Salvadoran and Honduran asylum seekers from the U.S., not those from Mexico. He said he would leave the issue to his successor to sort out.
In its statement on Thursday, CBP also noted that it had intercepted 93,000 pounds of drugs "nationwide" in December, up 5% from the previous month, and up 28% from the same period in 2018. That included an 80% increase in fentanyl seizures and a 27% increase in heroin seizures from the previous year.
"The cross-border smuggling of illegal drugs continues to threaten communities throughout our nation," said CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez. "The volume of drugs seized is a sober reminder that we are in the midst of a national security crisis on the Southwest Border."
Most of the heroin brought into the U.S. is produced in Mexico and comes across the southern border, while much of the illegal fentanyl originates in China and is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border.