npr--2020-12-31--Pelosi Names 1st Female Chaplain To Serve Congress

Speaker Nancy Pelosi marked another milestone for women in Congress Thursday by appointing retired Navy Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben as chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives .
Kibben is the first female congressional chaplain since Congress ' founding in 1789 .
`` Kibben brings decades of decorated experience in the military and the ministry , as a retired Rear Admiral who served as the U.S. Navy 's Chief Chaplain and the chaplain of the Marine Corps , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
`` Her integrity , experience and patriotism will serve the Congress and the Country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs of Members.
`` As chaplain , Kibben will lead House members in a daily opening prayer as well as other ceremonies .
The chaplain also provides pastoral counseling to House members , coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains and arranges memorial services for House members and staff .
Kibben was selected by a bipartisan committee of House members , whose recommendation was accepted by Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy .
She replaces retiring Rev .
Pat Conroy , a Roman Catholic priest who has served as chaplain since 2011 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years .
On top of her bachelor 's degree , Kibben received her doctorate of ministry and a master 's of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary .
She also studied national security and strategic studies at the Naval War College .
Kibben also served with the Marine Corps in multiple chaplain positions , including Chaplain of the Marine Corps from 2010 to 2014 .
She has five deployments under her belt , including at least one to Afghanistan as senior chaplain .
Most recently she served as a consultant with the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention Office .
Over the course of her career Kibben received the Distinguished Service Medal , two Legion of Merit awards , the Bronze Star , three Meritorious Service medals and three Navy Commendation medals .

Pelosi Names 1st Female Chaplain To Serve Congress
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Navy U.S. Navy
Speaker Nancy Pelosi marked another milestone for women in Congress Thursday by appointing retired Navy Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben as chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. Kibben is the first female congressional chaplain since Congress' founding in 1789.
"Kibben brings decades of decorated experience in the military and the ministry, as a retired Rear Admiral who served as the U.S. Navy's Chief Chaplain and the chaplain of the Marine Corps," Pelosi said in a statement. "Her integrity, experience and patriotism will serve the Congress and the Country well, as she ministers to the needs of Members. "
As chaplain, Kibben will lead House members in a daily opening prayer as well as other ceremonies. The chaplain also provides pastoral counseling to House members, coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains and arranges memorial services for House members and staff.
Kibben was selected by a bipartisan committee of House members, whose recommendation was accepted by Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She replaces retiring Rev. Pat Conroy, a Roman Catholic priest who has served as chaplain since 2011.
Kibben's military career spans more than 30 years. On top of her bachelor's degree, Kibben received her doctorate of ministry and a master's of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She also studied national security and strategic studies at the Naval War College.
Kibben also served with the Marine Corps in multiple chaplain positions, including Chaplain of the Marine Corps from 2010 to 2014. She has five deployments under her belt, including at least one to Afghanistan as senior chaplain. Most recently she served as a consultant with the Department of the Navy's Sexual Assault and Prevention Office.
Over the course of her career Kibben received the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service medals and three Navy Commendation medals.


npr--2020-12-31--Stocks 2020: A Stunning Crash, Then A Record-Setting Boom Created Centibillionaires

No one predicted what a tumultuous , stomach-churning year 2020 would be for the stock markets .
And few foresaw how well it would end up .
Here are the highlights : Between Feb. 12 and March 23 , the Dow lost a stunning 37 % of its value .
On March 16 alone , the Dow plummeted nearly 3,000 points , losing 12.9 % , as investors worried about the prospect of economic destruction wrought by COVID-19 .
The drop in stock prices was so large and so swift that it triggered multiple trading halts that day .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended trading several times during those days .
The worst-hit stocks were those affected by the travel restrictions , such as cruise lines , air carriers and energy companies .
United Airlines stock fell to $ 24 in March after selling for $ 86 a share on Jan. 1 .
It was a chilling time for investors , when the bottom seemed to be falling out of the global economy .
Some 22 million jobs were lost in April and May in the United States as businesses were forced into lockdown mode .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ downturn are without modern precedent , significantly worse than any recession since World War II , '' Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on March 13 .
Then something surprising happened : The stock market rebounded .
With a vengeance .
Throughout the summer and fall , prices began to creep up again , and by Aug. 18 , the Standard and Poor 's 500 was hitting records again .
And the Dow crossed 30,000 for the first time ever on Nov. 24 .
`` It 's a sacred number , 30,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
`` Nobody thought they 'll ever see it . ''
Even with all the tumult , the Dow finished the year up 7.2 % , and the S & P 500 did even better , gaining 16.3 % .
Meanwhile , the Nasdaq composite index , which is dominated by hot technology stocks , soared by a whopping 43.6 % .
Congress , Fed and Treasury to the rescue What on earth was going on ?
The Federal Reserve , the Treasury Department and Congress took quick , decisive action to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meltdown .
Congress approved supplemental unemployment benefits and $ 1,200 stimulus checks that helped many of the hardest-hit Americans pay their rent and keep food on the table .
And the U.S. Treasury got those checks out quickly .
The Fed cut interest rates to near zero , and then stepped in with a broad $ 2.3 trillion package of lending programs to prop up households , employers , financial markets and local governments .
`` We are deploying these lending powers to an unprecedented extent [ and ] ... will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aggressively until we are confident that we are solidly on the road to recovery , '' Powell said in April .
All this sent a message to the financial markets : The Fed is n't about to let you go under .
Buoyed by those assurances , investors began dipping their toes back in the water .
Initially , much of the market 's gains were driven by a few hot tech stocks , such as Amazon and Netflix , which benefited from the lockdowns , as online shopping took off and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of movies .
Netflix ended the year nearly 64 % for the year , Amazon more than 70 % .
`` In terms of the broad economic changes , these companies are on the right side of history , '' says Lu Zhang , a professor of finance at the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University .
But few stocks exploded in value as much as the electric-car maker Tesla , which rose more than 700 % this year , eventually getting added to the S & P 500 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares were worth so much he became a newly minted centibillionaire , complained in May that the price was too high .
In fact , the stock market gains this year have made the rich a lot richer at a time when tens of millions of people are still struggling without jobs , and they have exacerbated the country 's wealth gap .
Some part of the rebound — there 's debate about how much — was due to the explosive rise in online trading , with homebound investors filling their hours buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab saw massive increases in trading volume .
Then there was the stock trading app Robinhood , with its 13 million customers , many of them young people with little experience trading .
And many are especially attracted to high-gloss tech stocks such as Apple and Microsoft .
These superstar tech stocks helped send the overall market higher .
Apple 's market share even hit $ 2 trillion in August .

Stocks 2020: A Stunning Crash, Then A Record-Setting Boom Created Centibillionaires
Enlarge this image toggle caption Richard Drew/AP Richard Drew/AP
No one predicted what a tumultuous, stomach-churning year 2020 would be for the stock markets. And few foresaw how well it would end up.
Here are the highlights:
Stocks in meltdown
Between Feb. 12 and March 23, the Dow lost a stunning 37% of its value.
On March 16 alone, the Dow plummeted nearly 3,000 points, losing 12.9%, as investors worried about the prospect of economic destruction wrought by COVID-19. The drop in stock prices was so large and so swift that it triggered multiple trading halts that day. In fact, the New York Stock Exchange suspended trading several times during those days.
The worst-hit stocks were those affected by the travel restrictions, such as cruise lines, air carriers and energy companies. United Airlines stock fell to $24 in March after selling for $86 a share on Jan. 1.
Historic recession
It was a chilling time for investors, when the bottom seemed to be falling out of the global economy. Some 22 million jobs were lost in April and May in the United States as businesses were forced into lockdown mode.
"The scope and speed of this downturn are without modern precedent, significantly worse than any recession since World War II," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on March 13.
Then a dramatic rebound
Then something surprising happened: The stock market rebounded. With a vengeance.
Throughout the summer and fall, prices began to creep up again, and by Aug. 18, the Standard and Poor's 500 was hitting records again. And the Dow crossed 30,000 for the first time ever on Nov. 24.
"It's a sacred number, 30,000," President Trump said at the White House. "Nobody thought they'll ever see it."
Even with all the tumult, the Dow finished the year up 7.2%, and the S&P 500 did even better, gaining 16.3%. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq composite index, which is dominated by hot technology stocks, soared by a whopping 43.6%.
Congress, Fed and Treasury to the rescue
What on earth was going on?
The Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department and Congress took quick, decisive action to support the economy during the worst of the meltdown.
Congress approved supplemental unemployment benefits and $1,200 stimulus checks that helped many of the hardest-hit Americans pay their rent and keep food on the table. And the U.S. Treasury got those checks out quickly.
The Fed cut interest rates to near zero, and then stepped in with a broad $2.3 trillion package of lending programs to prop up households, employers, financial markets and local governments.
"We are deploying these lending powers to an unprecedented extent [and] ... will continue to use these powers forcefully, proactively and aggressively until we are confident that we are solidly on the road to recovery," Powell said in April.
All this sent a message to the financial markets: The Fed isn't about to let you go under. Buoyed by those assurances, investors began dipping their toes back in the water.
Tech bonanza
Initially, much of the market's gains were driven by a few hot tech stocks, such as Amazon and Netflix, which benefited from the lockdowns, as online shopping took off and people who were stuck at home streamed plenty of movies.
Netflix ended the year nearly 64% for the year, Amazon more than 70%.
"In terms of the broad economic changes, these companies are on the right side of history," says Lu Zhang, a professor of finance at the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University.
Tesla's wild ride and a new centibillionaire
But few stocks exploded in value as much as the electric-car maker Tesla, which rose more than 700% this year, eventually getting added to the S&P 500. Even founder Elon Musk, whose Tesla shares were worth so much he became a newly minted centibillionaire, complained in May that the price was too high.
In fact, the stock market gains this year have made the rich a lot richer at a time when tens of millions of people are still struggling without jobs, and they have exacerbated the country's wealth gap.
Generation homebound and trading
Some part of the rebound — there's debate about how much — was due to the explosive rise in online trading, with homebound investors filling their hours buying and selling stocks.
Online brokerage companies such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab saw massive increases in trading volume.
Then there was the stock trading app Robinhood, with its 13 million customers, many of them young people with little experience trading. And many are especially attracted to high-gloss tech stocks such as Apple and Microsoft.
These superstar tech stocks helped send the overall market higher. Apple's market share even hit $2 trillion in August.


npr--2020-12-31--From 'Mysterious' Illness To Global Pandemic: COVID-19, By The Numbers

From 'Mysterious ' Illness To Global Pandemic : COVID-19 , By The Numbers Exactly one year ago today , the World Health Organization first learned of a cluster of a few dozen pneumonia cases in Wuhan , China of `` unknown '' origin .
The cause , of course , would turn out to be the coronavirus behind the current pandemic .
Here 's a by-the-numbers summary of the toll the virus has taken on countries across the globe since that fateful day .
For the first two months of the pandemic nearly all reported cases were in China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other provinces , China quickly turned the corner .
Today it has one of the world 's lowest casualty figures — with less than 100,000 reported cases and less than 5,000 deaths , according to statistics maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. is worst hit by multiple measures Yet even as China gained control over its outbreak , the virus was spreading exponentially in countries on every continent of the planet .
And nowhere has the toll been more severe than in the United States .
Today the U.S. ranks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total reported case count of 19.7 million and its death toll of more than 342,000 .
Even when countries are ranked by reported cases as a percentage of their population , the U.S. ranks in the top five .
And the U.S. also currently has the highest number of daily new reported cases and daily new deaths .
When considered in purely numerical terms , other hard-hit countries include India with 10.3 million reported cases , Brazil with 7.6 million , Russia with 3.1 million , France with 2.7 million , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.2 million , Italy with 2.1 million , Spain with 1.9 million and Germany with 1.6 million .
Practically all of these countries also rank in the top 10 on the number of deaths .
Brazil , for instance , has had more than 193,000 , India more than 148,000 .
And practically all are currently seeing the world 's highest numbers of new reported cases and deaths .
Several countries that do n't make it into the top 10 tallies of cases and deaths still bear mentioning .
In the Americas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 1.6 million reported cases a piece .
Mexico , with 1.4 million , is close behind .
And Mexico also has one of the world 's highest death tolls — with nearly 125,000 lives lost to date .
In the Middle East , Iran has fared particularly poorly — with about 1.2 million cases and more than 55,000 deaths .
And while it seemed for a time that African countries might escape the brunt of the pandemic , South Africa has now seen its total case count surpass 1 million .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death counts do n't look as serious — until they are considered as a share of the population .
Countries where the virus has wrought this outsized impact include the Czech Republic , Belgium , Panama and Slovenia , where the caseload per capita ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 per 100,000 people — as well as , when it comes to deaths per capita , Peru , where 116 people per 100,000 have died .
Countries that show the coronavirus can be contained China is not the only nation that showed the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea , with about 60,000 cases and 900 deaths , and Vietnam , with 1,465 cases and just 35 deaths .

From 'Mysterious' Illness To Global Pandemic: COVID-19, By The Numbers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Exactly one year ago today, the World Health Organization first learned of a cluster of a few dozen pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China of "unknown" origin. The cause, of course, would turn out to be the coronavirus behind the current pandemic. Here's a by-the-numbers summary of the toll the virus has taken on countries across the globe since that fateful day.
China quickly turns the corner
For the first two months of the pandemic nearly all reported cases were in China. But after a massive lockdown in Wuhan and other provinces, China quickly turned the corner. Today it has one of the world's lowest casualty figures — with less than 100,000 reported cases and less than 5,000 deaths, according to statistics maintained by Johns Hopkins University.
About Goats and Soda Goats and Soda is NPR's global health and development blog. We tell stories of life in our changing world, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. And we keep in mind that we're all neighbors in this global village. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Learn more about our team and coverage.
The U.S. is worst hit by multiple measures
Yet even as China gained control over its outbreak, the virus was spreading exponentially in countries on every continent of the planet. And nowhere has the toll been more severe than in the United States. Today the U.S. ranks highest when it comes to both its total reported case count of 19.7 million and its death toll of more than 342,000. Even when countries are ranked by reported cases as a percentage of their population, the U.S. ranks in the top five. And the U.S. also currently has the highest number of daily new reported cases and daily new deaths.
Other hard-hit nations
When considered in purely numerical terms, other hard-hit countries include India with 10.3 million reported cases, Brazil with 7.6 million, Russia with 3.1 million, France with 2.7 million, the United Kingdom with 2.4 million, Turkey with 2.2 million, Italy with 2.1 million, Spain with 1.9 million and Germany with 1.6 million. Practically all of these countries also rank in the top 10 on the number of deaths. Brazil, for instance, has had more than 193,000, India more than 148,000. And practically all are currently seeing the world's highest numbers of new reported cases and deaths.
Regional pain
Several countries that don't make it into the top 10 tallies of cases and deaths still bear mentioning. In the Americas for instance, Colombia and Argentina now have about 1.6 million reported cases a piece. Mexico, with 1.4 million, is close behind. And Mexico also has one of the world's highest death tolls — with nearly 125,000 lives lost to date. In the Middle East, Iran has fared particularly poorly — with about 1.2 million cases and more than 55,000 deaths. And while it seemed for a time that African countries might escape the brunt of the pandemic, South Africa has now seen its total case count surpass 1 million.
Outsized impact
Then there are nations where the case and death counts don't look as serious — until they are considered as a share of the population. Countries where the virus has wrought this outsized impact include the Czech Republic, Belgium, Panama and Slovenia, where the caseload per capita ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 per 100,000 people — as well as, when it comes to deaths per capita, Peru, where 116 people per 100,000 have died.
Countries that show the coronavirus can be contained
China is not the only nation that showed the coronavirus can be contained. Other standouts include South Korea, with about 60,000 cases and 900 deaths, and Vietnam, with 1,465 cases and just 35 deaths.


npr--2020-12-31--Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption Creates 600-Foot-Deep Lava Lake

On Hawaii 's Big Island , Kilauea volcano erupted Dec. 20 for the first time in more than two years @ @ @ @ @ fissure in the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and cascaded into the deepest part of @ @ @ @ @ a water lake .
There 's now a growing lava lake , nearly 600 feet @ @ @ @ @ Survey has been documenting the eruption .
Here , in photos and video , is @ @ @ @ @ is continuing — and changing the landscape .

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption Creates 600-Foot-Deep Lava Lake
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images
On Hawaii's Big Island, Kilauea volcano erupted Dec. 20 for the first time in more than two years.
Lava spewed from a fissure in the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and cascaded into the deepest part of the crater, boiling away a water lake. There's now a growing lava lake, nearly 600 feet deep.
The U.S. Geological Survey has been documenting the eruption. Here, in photos and video, is how Kilauea's newest eruption is continuing — and changing the landscape.
Enlarge this image toggle caption USGS USGS
toggle caption USGS
Media no longer available
Enlarge this image toggle caption USGS USGS
Enlarge this image toggle caption H. Dietterich/USGS H. Dietterich/USGS
Enlarge this image toggle caption USGS USGS
Enlarge this image toggle caption USGS USGS
Enlarge this image toggle caption D. Downs/USGS D. Downs/USGS
Enlarge this image toggle caption M. Patrick/USGS M. Patrick/USGS


npr--2020-12-31--Spurs' Becky Hammon Becomes First Woman To Act As Head Coach Of An NBA Team

Spurs ' Becky Hammon Becomes First Woman To Act As Head Coach Of An NBA Team '' You got 'em '' — with that brief handover , Becky Hammon became the first woman to coach an NBA team Wednesday night , leading the San Antonio Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the first half .
`` Obviously , it 's a big deal .
It 's a substantial moment , '' Hammon said after the game .
She noted that she has worked toward the milestone for years , spending more than a decade in San Antonio as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Hammon added that she would have preferred to coach her team to a victory , a tall order as they faced the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers — and on Lakers superstar LeBron James ' birthday , no less .
`` Honestly , in the moment , I was just trying to win the game , '' Hammon said .
`` I say this a lot , but I try not to think about the huge picture and the huge aspect of it , because it can get overwhelming . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay focused on helping her players succeed .
After the game , it seemed that focus had not wavered : As Hammon spoke , she was still holding the rolled-up sheet of stats and notes coaches rely upon to make in-game adjustments .
The Lakers — who won 121-107 — also took notice of the historic achievement unfolding on their opponent 's sideline .
Hammon , James said , has paid her dues to be where she is .
`` It 's a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` She 's very passionate about the game .
Congrats to her and congrats for our league . ''
`` Well deserved , '' Lakers coach Frank Vogel said .
Noting his respect for Hammon , he added , `` She 's going to be a great coach one day . ''
Former Laker Pau Gasol , who spent parts of several recent seasons with the Spurs , also tweeted his congratulations to Hammon .
It was just the latest groundbreaker for Hammon , who made history in 2014 when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
She has risen through the ranks since then , joining Popovich on the front row of the sideline in 2018 when former Spurs assistant James Borrego left to become the Charlotte Hornets ' head coach .
Hammon , 43 , was an All-Star guard in the WNBA , playing 16 seasons for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars as well as stints overseas .
She was still on the Stars ' roster when she began spending time with the Spurs , eyeing a career change as she recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines in 2018 when she was invited to interview for the Milwaukee Bucks ' head coaching job .

Spurs' Becky Hammon Becomes First Woman To Act As Head Coach Of An NBA Team
Enlarge this image toggle caption Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
"You got 'em" — with that brief handover, Becky Hammon became the first woman to coach an NBA team Wednesday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the first half.
"Obviously, it's a big deal. It's a substantial moment," Hammon said after the game. She noted that she has worked toward the milestone for years, spending more than a decade in San Antonio as either a player or a coach.
But Hammon added that she would have preferred to coach her team to a victory, a tall order as they faced the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers — and on Lakers superstar LeBron James' birthday, no less.
"Honestly, in the moment, I was just trying to win the game," Hammon said. "I say this a lot, but I try not to think about the huge picture and the huge aspect of it, because it can get overwhelming."
It's her job, Hammon said, to stay focused on helping her players succeed. After the game, it seemed that focus had not wavered: As Hammon spoke, she was still holding the rolled-up sheet of stats and notes coaches rely upon to make in-game adjustments.
The Lakers — who won 121-107 — also took notice of the historic achievement unfolding on their opponent's sideline. Hammon, James said, has paid her dues to be where she is.
"It's a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls, barking out sets," James said. "She's very passionate about the game. Congrats to her and congrats for our league."
"Well deserved," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. Noting his respect for Hammon, he added, "She's going to be a great coach one day."
Former Laker Pau Gasol, who spent parts of several recent seasons with the Spurs, also tweeted his congratulations to Hammon.
It was just the latest groundbreaker for Hammon, who made history in 2014 when the Spurs hired her to a full-time coaching position. She has risen through the ranks since then, joining Popovich on the front row of the sideline in 2018 when former Spurs assistant James Borrego left to become the Charlotte Hornets' head coach.
Hammon, 43, was an All-Star guard in the WNBA, playing 16 seasons for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars as well as stints overseas. She was still on the Stars' roster when she began spending time with the Spurs, eyeing a career change as she recovered from a knee injury.
Hammon also made headlines in 2018 when she was invited to interview for the Milwaukee Bucks' head coaching job.


npr--2020-12-31--Photos: The Non-Pandemic Events That Helped Shape 2020 Around The World

Photos : The Non-Pandemic Events That Helped Shape 2020 Around The World In a year dominated by the global COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ massive disruptions did not signal an end to other major events .
Conflicts continued , @ @ @ @ @ Natural disasters upended lives .
Attempts at peace bore some fruit .
The Brexit transition @ @ @ @ @ world , protesters came into the streets to demand greater freedoms and an end to @ @ @ @ @ a look back at some of the key events that took place outside the United @ @ @ @ @ tumultuous year .

Photos: The Non-Pandemic Events That Helped Shape 2020 Around The World
In a year dominated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the virus' massive disruptions did not signal an end to other major events. Conflicts continued, resumed and broke out. Natural disasters upended lives. Attempts at peace bore some fruit. The Brexit transition continued. And around the world, protesters came into the streets to demand greater freedoms and an end to racial injustice.
Here is a look back at some of the key events that took place outside the United States and helped define this tumultuous year.
Iraq
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Australia
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
Venezuela
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolina Cabral/Getty Images Carolina Cabral/Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rafael Briceno Sierralta/NurPhoto via Getty Images Rafael Briceno Sierralta/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Black Lives Matter
Enlarge this image toggle caption Buda Mendes/Getty Images; Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images; Donwilson Odhiambo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Buda Mendes/Getty Images; Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images; Donwilson Odhiambo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Afghanistan
Enlarge this image toggle caption Karim Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images Karim Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rahmat Gul/AP Rahmat Gul/AP
Kenya
Enlarge this image toggle caption Fredrik Lerneryd/Getty Images Fredrik Lerneryd/Getty Images
Hong Kong
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP Kin Cheung/AP
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images
India
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mukhtar Khan/AP Mukhtar Khan/AP
Lebanon
Enlarge this image toggle caption Houssam Shbaro/Andalou Agency via Getty Images Houssam Shbaro/Andalou Agency via Getty Images
Belarus
Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images
Israel
Enlarge this image toggle caption Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Enlarge this image toggle caption Karen Minasyan/AFP via Getty Images Karen Minasyan/AFP via Getty Images
Ethiopia's conflict
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eduardo Soteras/AFP via Getty Images Eduardo Soteras/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images
Saudi Arabia
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marieke Wijntjes/Reuters Marieke Wijntjes/Reuters
Brexit


npr--2020-12-31--International Stories You Loved In 2020

International Stories You Loved In 2020

This past year was like no other .
The world suffered deeply from the novel coronavirus and many endured difficult sacrifices .
But other news never stopped in 2020 .
Tensions escalated with Iran after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general .
Britain made an arduous exit from the European Union .
China enacted tough new authority over Hong Kong .
The racial justice movement in the United States set off solidarity protests in many other countries .
And that was just in the first half of the year .
All the while , NPR 's far-flung journalists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover the globe as pandemic travel and physical-distancing rules forced them to adapt .
Here are some of the International Desk 's most popular digital stories of 2020 , based on page views and time readers spent with pieces .
Why Germany 's Coronavirus Death Rate Is Far Lower Than In Other Countries In March , Germany 's feat of keeping its death rate related to COVID-19 far lower than many nations became one of the International Desk 's most-read stories of the year .
— Rob Schmitz As China 's Wuhan Ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mix Of Joy And Fear The end of Wuhan 's 76-day lockdown in April was a milestone in China 's efforts to contain the coronavirus .
— Emily Feng Italy has universal health care .
But Italian hospitals and medical staff became overwhelmed , prompting anguished debate .
— Sylvia Poggioli New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern applied her trademark empathy in rallying her country to not just flatten the coronavirus curve but crush it .
— Julie McCarthy A Funny 'Talking ' Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , churned out viral videos with lifestyle tips from their home in Montreal .
— Deborah Amos Residents and officials struggled to cope with a tragedy in Manaus , a Brazilian city in the middle of the Amazon rainforest that saw coronavirus cases skyrocket .
— Philip Reeves 'We Feel Safe ' : Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks American tourists are n't welcome in most countries around the world because of the high number of U.S. coronavirus cases .
But at least one country is keeping its borders open : Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape the cold or lockdowns , are flocking to its stunning beaches .
— Carrie Kahn 'Everybody 's Getting Along Here ' : How 'Hotel Corona ' United Israelis And Palestinians A Jerusalem hotel hosted 180 COVID-19 patients from different backgrounds .
Despite concerns they might clash , some became friends .
The biggest test of togetherness came during Passover .
— Daniel Estrin and Gregory Warner Ireland Finds U.S .
Tourists During Pandemic May Be Trouble .
But So Is Their Absence There 's a perception that Americans are resistant to wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days upon arrival .
Still , one hotel worker says , `` We are missing the Americans greatly . ''
— Teri Schultz Coronavirus Spreads In Iran , Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country The country has been reeling from pressure reimposed by the Trump administration .
This year , it scrambled to cope with the virus that has killed many Iranians .
— Peter Kenyon For extensive coverage of the pandemic , you can go to The Coronavirus Crisis and NPR 's Goats and Soda and Shots blogs . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Refugees Flee For Their Lives In November , the Ethiopian government launched an offensive against a rebellious regional government .
The ensuing conflict has killed hundreds , and almost 50,000 Ethiopians fled to Sudan .
— Eyder Peralta As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law , U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate Attempts to dissuade China 's Communist Party from asserting more authority over Hong Kong did n't work .
Now that China is imposing a new national security law on Hong Kong , world powers are looking to punish Beijing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ If I Stole My Car ' : Black Diplomats Describe Harassment At U.S .
Borders Former U.S. diplomat Tianna Spears says she was pulled aside 20-plus times crossing from Mexico into the United States .
`` One time , I was told not to look at the officer in the eyes when I spoke to him , '' she says .
— Jackie Northam The Long , Perilous Route Thousands Of Indians Have Risked For A Shot At Life In U.S .
The journey from India can zigzag to Russia , the Mideast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I realize America 's hard hit by the coronavirus .
But I 'm determined to get there , '' says an Indian man deported from Mexico .
— Lauren Frayer 'He Will Be A Happier Elephant ' : Vet Describes What It Was Like To Rescue Kaavan Dr. Amir Khalil , a veterinarian with Four Paws International , said the `` world 's loneliest elephant '' was settling into his new home in Cambodia .
Khalil sang Sinatra 's `` My Way '' to help calm Kaavan .
— Ashley Westerman Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. Leaves The EU Britain is ending its more than 40-year membership in the European Union .
Here 's how Brexit was expected to play out .
— Frank Langfitt Iraqi Family Identifies Son As ISIS Teen At Center Of Navy War Crimes Trial The name of the young ISIS fighter was not revealed in U.S. court proceedings , and the records are sealed .
NPR identified the fighter with the help of Iraqi officials and the teenager 's family .
— Jane Arraf 'We Had To Take Action ' : States In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To Minors '' The damage of this kind of diet is even more visible because of the pandemic , '' says a Oaxaca legislator who spearheaded a law against the sale of junk food and soda to minors .
The idea is spreading .
— James Fredrick Putin And Biden Signal Chilly Relations To Come As the president-elect vows to get tough on Moscow , analysts say Russia 's leader wants to show he 'll take the fight to Washington — and his congratulations delay was just the latest sign .
— Lucian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 'Ghettos ' Are Suing The Government A sweeping plan to rid the country of immigrant-heavy areas officially designated as `` ghettos '' was challenged by residents , as Denmark also began to grapple with broader questions about racism .
— Sidsel Overgaard Where Are The Thousands Of Nazi-Looted Musical Instruments ?
Researchers are still digging into the question and sharing their findings decades after the Nazis sacked the homes of Jews during World War II .
— Eleanor Beardsley Beirut Explosion Looks Like An Accident — And A Sign Of The Country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a backdrop of ongoing , unaddressed government dysfunction .
Some of the country 's chronic problems may help explain how 2,750 tons of explosives were neglected at the Beirut port .
— Larry Kaplow , Ruth Sherlock and Nada Homsi 'God ... Let Us Survive ' : Remembering Korean War 's Chosin Battle And Evacuation Seventy years on , war participants are drawing starkly differing conclusions from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir .
The decisive conflict 's lasting legacy is still visible on the Korean Peninsula .
— Anthony Kuhn The Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will continue to fight and speak and raise our voices , '' Belarusian athlete Yelena Leuchanka says .
`` The face of what is happening in Belarus is largely the face of women , '' an ex-U.S. diplomat says .
— Michele Kelemen 'Our Houses Are Not Safe ' : Residents Fear Taliban In Afghanistan 's Capital The Taliban have waged attacks across the country , prompting a call to reduce the violence from U.S. Gen. Mark Milley .
In Kabul , the public worries about the Taliban 's return .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have To Join Together ' : 2 Dutch Women Confront Slavery 's Legacy Maartje Duin and Peggy Bouva are examining painful issues in the Netherlands ' colonial past .
`` We wanted to show people that you can talk about this openly , even if it 's uncomfortable , '' Bouva says .
— Joanna Kakissis Venezuela 's Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition Nicolás Maduro has remained in control despite international pressure and attempts to remove him , while opposition leaders weaken .
— John Otis Cambodia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By Khmer Rouge , Makes A Comeback '' It 's like a wine , '' a grower says .
`` You can taste it like a wine , and then you can keep the taste in your mouth for a very long time . ''
White peppercorns can cost up to $ 100 per ounce .
— Michael Sullivan Why Labeling Antonio Banderas A 'Person Of Color ' Triggers Such A Backlash When media called him one of the few actors of color nominated for an Oscar , many Spaniards mocked the term @ @ @ @ @ @ @

International Stories You Loved In 2020
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amy Cheng/NPR Amy Cheng/NPR
This past year was like no other. The world suffered deeply from the novel coronavirus and many endured difficult sacrifices. But other news never stopped in 2020.
Tensions escalated with Iran after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general. Britain made an arduous exit from the European Union. China enacted tough new authority over Hong Kong. The racial justice movement in the United States set off solidarity protests in many other countries. And that was just in the first half of the year.
All the while, NPR's far-flung journalists and contributing reporters labored harder than ever to cover the globe as pandemic travel and physical-distancing rules forced them to adapt.
Here are some of the International Desk's most popular digital stories of 2020, based on page views and time readers spent with pieces.
Pandemic dominated
Why Germany's Coronavirus Death Rate Is Far Lower Than In Other Countries
In March, Germany's feat of keeping its death rate related to COVID-19 far lower than many nations became one of the International Desk's most-read stories of the year. — Rob Schmitz
As China's Wuhan Ends Its Long Quarantine, Residents Feel A Mix Of Joy And Fear
The end of Wuhan's 76-day lockdown in April was a milestone in China's efforts to contain the coronavirus. — Emily Feng
'Every Single Individual Must Stay Home': Italy's Coronavirus Surge Strains Hospitals
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alessandra Tarantino/AP Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Italy has universal health care. But Italian hospitals and medical staff became overwhelmed, prompting anguished debate. — Sylvia Poggioli
Praised For Curbing COVID-19, New Zealand's Leader Eases Country's Strict Lockdown
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern applied her trademark empathy in rallying her country to not just flatten the coronavirus curve but crush it. — Julie McCarthy
A Funny 'Talking' Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis
Pluto and her human, Nancie Wight, churned out viral videos with lifestyle tips from their home in Montreal. — Deborah Amos
'Living Through A Nightmare': Brazil's Manaus Digs A Mass Grave As Deaths Mount
Residents and officials struggled to cope with a tragedy in Manaus, a Brazilian city in the middle of the Amazon rainforest that saw coronavirus cases skyrocket. — Philip Reeves
'We Feel Safe': Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks
American tourists aren't welcome in most countries around the world because of the high number of U.S. coronavirus cases. But at least one country is keeping its borders open: Mexico. And many Americans, keen to escape the cold or lockdowns, are flocking to its stunning beaches. — Carrie Kahn
'Everybody's Getting Along Here': How 'Hotel Corona' United Israelis And Palestinians
A Jerusalem hotel hosted 180 COVID-19 patients from different backgrounds. Despite concerns they might clash, some became friends. The biggest test of togetherness came during Passover. — Daniel Estrin and Gregory Warner
Ireland Finds U.S. Tourists During Pandemic May Be Trouble. But So Is Their Absence
There's a perception that Americans are resistant to wearing masks and are refusing to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Still, one hotel worker says, "We are missing the Americans greatly." — Teri Schultz
Coronavirus Spreads In Iran, Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country
The country has been reeling from pressure reimposed by the Trump administration. This year, it scrambled to cope with the virus that has killed many Iranians. — Peter Kenyon
For extensive coverage of the pandemic, you can go to The Coronavirus Crisis and NPR's Goats and Soda and Shots blogs.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Anjum Naveed/AP Anjum Naveed/AP
In other news
'I Have Lost Everything': Ethiopian Refugees Flee For Their Lives
In November, the Ethiopian government launched an offensive against a rebellious regional government. The ensuing conflict has killed hundreds, and almost 50,000 Ethiopians fled to Sudan. — Eyder Peralta
As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law, U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate
Attempts to dissuade China's Communist Party from asserting more authority over Hong Kong didn't work. Now that China is imposing a new national security law on Hong Kong, world powers are looking to punish Beijing. — John Ruwitch
'I Was Asked If I Stole My Car': Black Diplomats Describe Harassment At U.S. Borders
Former U.S. diplomat Tianna Spears says she was pulled aside 20-plus times crossing from Mexico into the United States. "One time, I was told not to look at the officer in the eyes when I spoke to him," she says. — Jackie Northam
The Long, Perilous Route Thousands Of Indians Have Risked For A Shot At Life In U.S.
The journey from India can zigzag to Russia, the Mideast, the Caribbean and Central America. "I realize America's hard hit by the coronavirus. But I'm determined to get there," says an Indian man deported from Mexico. — Lauren Frayer
'He Will Be A Happier Elephant': Vet Describes What It Was Like To Rescue Kaavan
Dr. Amir Khalil, a veterinarian with Four Paws International, said the "world's loneliest elephant" was settling into his new home in Cambodia. Khalil sang Sinatra's "My Way" to help calm Kaavan. — Ashley Westerman
Brexit Day: What To Know When The U.K. Leaves The EU
Britain is ending its more than 40-year membership in the European Union. Here's how Brexit was expected to play out. — Frank Langfitt
Iraqi Family Identifies Son As ISIS Teen At Center Of Navy War Crimes Trial
The name of the young ISIS fighter was not revealed in U.S. court proceedings, and the records are sealed. NPR identified the fighter with the help of Iraqi officials and the teenager's family. — Jane Arraf
'We Had To Take Action': States In Mexico Move To Ban Junk Food Sales To Minors
"The damage of this kind of diet is even more visible because of the pandemic," says a Oaxaca legislator who spearheaded a law against the sale of junk food and soda to minors. The idea is spreading. — James Fredrick
Putin And Biden Signal Chilly Relations To Come
As the president-elect vows to get tough on Moscow, analysts say Russia's leader wants to show he'll take the fight to Washington — and his congratulations delay was just the latest sign. — Lucian Kim
Facing Eviction, Residents Of Denmark's 'Ghettos' Are Suing The Government
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cornelia Li for NPR Cornelia Li for NPR
A sweeping plan to rid the country of immigrant-heavy areas officially designated as "ghettos" was challenged by residents, as Denmark also began to grapple with broader questions about racism. — Sidsel Overgaard
Where Are The Thousands Of Nazi-Looted Musical Instruments?
Researchers are still digging into the question and sharing their findings decades after the Nazis sacked the homes of Jews during World War II. — Eleanor Beardsley
Beirut Explosion Looks Like An Accident — And A Sign Of The Country's Collapse
The blast in August came against a backdrop of ongoing, unaddressed government dysfunction. Some of the country's chronic problems may help explain how 2,750 tons of explosives were neglected at the Beirut port. — Larry Kaplow, Ruth Sherlock and Nada Homsi
'God ... Let Us Survive': Remembering Korean War's Chosin Battle And Evacuation
Seventy years on, war participants are drawing starkly differing conclusions from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The decisive conflict's lasting legacy is still visible on the Korean Peninsula. — Anthony Kuhn
The Women 'Fighting For Freedom' In Belarus
"We will continue to fight and speak and raise our voices," Belarusian athlete Yelena Leuchanka says. "The face of what is happening in Belarus is largely the face of women," an ex-U.S. diplomat says. — Michele Kelemen
'Our Houses Are Not Safe': Residents Fear Taliban In Afghanistan's Capital
The Taliban have waged attacks across the country, prompting a call to reduce the violence from U.S. Gen. Mark Milley. In Kabul, the public worries about the Taliban's return. — Diaa Hadid
'A Journey That We Have To Join Together': 2 Dutch Women Confront Slavery's Legacy
Maartje Duin and Peggy Bouva are examining painful issues in the Netherlands' colonial past. "We wanted to show people that you can talk about this openly, even if it's uncomfortable," Bouva says. — Joanna Kakissis
Venezuela's Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition
Nicolás Maduro has remained in control despite international pressure and attempts to remove him, while opposition leaders weaken. — John Otis
Cambodia's Prized Kampot Pepper, Nearly Wiped Out By Khmer Rouge, Makes A Comeback
"It's like a wine," a grower says. "You can taste it like a wine, and then you can keep the taste in your mouth for a very long time." White peppercorns can cost up to $100 per ounce. — Michael Sullivan
Why Labeling Antonio Banderas A 'Person Of Color' Triggers Such A Backlash
When media called him one of the few actors of color nominated for an Oscar, many Spaniards mocked the term or got angry. — Lucía Benavides


npr--2020-12-31--Supreme Court's New Supermajority: What It Means For Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court 's New Supermajority : What It Means For Roe v. Wade For the first time in nearly a half century , there is a six-justice conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court — six justices with clearly expressed views against abortion rights .
So , will a woman 's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy soon be a thing of the past ?
In 1973 , when the court issued its landmark Roe v. Wade opinion , the vote was 7-to-2 , with five Republican-appointed justices in the majority .
But since then , the court 's composition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the court 's three newest justices appointed by President Trump .
At the same time , however , public opinion polls have showed large majorities supporting abortion rights in most cases .
Those approval ratings have remained remarkably stable over the years .
On the Supreme Court , however , the centrist conservatives are gone , replaced by justices more passionately opposed to the notion of a constitutional right to abortion .
So the question now is : How fast and how far does the court want to move .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools of thought .
Many expect the court to systematically hollow out Roe v. Wade , not explicitly overturning it but leaving it a right on paper only .
It will be `` like this sarcophagus of Roe that you have outside the tomb , but there 's nothing inside , just an empty shell , '' predicts professor Josh Blackman , of South Texas College of Law Houston .
But NYU law professor Melissa Murray says the time is ripe for anti-abortion rights forces to strike more definitively .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the time has come to call the question , '' she says .
`` Why would n't you do it now when you have a 6-to-3 supermajority ? ''
`` It is a new moment for the court , '' adds Mallory Quigley , a vice president of the anti-abortion rights Susan B. Anthony List .
`` What the pro-life movement is doing is throwing every type of spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks . ''
Anti-abortion rights forces are in fact prevailing in many state legislatures , enacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights .
As of now , there are four cases challenging those laws pending before the Supreme Court and more than a dozen cases pending in the federal appeals courts .
Some of those appeals in the lower courts have remained undecided for as many as 2 1/2 years , suggesting that some conservative-dominated lower courts are slow-walking cases in hopes of a dramatic change in abortion rulings from the Supreme Court .
Among the restrictions involved in these cases are bans on abortions at early stages of pregnancy , with six states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's before many women even realize they are pregnant .
Then , too , are bans on the most common method of surgical abortions .
There are laws making it more difficult to obtain medical abortions using pills .
There are laws making it illegal to terminate a pregnancy because of fetal abnormalities , including Down syndrome .
And there are laws aimed at making it difficult to impossible for clinics that perform abortions to remain open .
`` What we 're ultimately hoping for is that the Supreme Court will take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enact laws that are truly reflective of the values of the people in those states , '' says Quigley of the SBA List .
Abortion-rights lawyers like Stephanie Toti know they are facing an uphill battle .
`` Roe v. Wade has been settled precedent for nearly 50 years and yet everybody thinks that we might be on the cusp of that precedent being overturned , '' she says , adding it 's `` really important to keep up the fight , '' especially because the `` perspective that often gets lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who suddenly finds herself pregnant and needing an abortion , only to discover that clinics are now closed .
If the direction the conservative court is embarking on abortion is clear , it is less clear how the conservative justices will get there .
NYU professor Murray points to an idea promoted in one opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas that sought to link Planned Parenthood , contraception and abortion to the racist views of the eugenics movement in the early 20th century .
Though Thomas wrote only for himself in that case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices last year relied on the racist roots of laws permitting non-unanimous jury verdicts to strike them down .
And she sees those opinions as `` opportunistically '' laying the groundwork for a different approach to reversing Roe .
`` What could be better than to take down Roe on the ground that it is not just wrong in terms of your moral view of where life begins , but it 's wrong because it 's about racial injustice ? ''
Murray says .
Even a year ago , the justice who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory would have been the modern era 's foremost advocate for women 's legal rights and personal autonomy , Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Her death just three months ago , and Trump 's appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to replace her , however , have solidified the conservative supermajority on the court .
And if you look carefully , as professor Murray observes , anti-abortion groups now routinely refer to laws banning abortion because of fetal abnormality as `` anti-discrimination laws . ''

Supreme Court's New Supermajority: What It Means For Roe v. Wade
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
For the first time in nearly a half century, there is a six-justice conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court — six justices with clearly expressed views against abortion rights. So, will a woman's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy soon be a thing of the past?
In 1973, when the court issued its landmark Roe v. Wade opinion, the vote was 7-to-2, with five Republican-appointed justices in the majority. But since then, the court's composition has moved inexorably to the ideological right, with the court's three newest justices appointed by President Trump.
At the same time, however, public opinion polls have showed large majorities supporting abortion rights in most cases. Those approval ratings have remained remarkably stable over the years.
On the Supreme Court, however, the centrist conservatives are gone, replaced by justices more passionately opposed to the notion of a constitutional right to abortion. So the question now is: How fast and how far does the court want to move.
Among constitutional scholars, there are basically two schools of thought. Many expect the court to systematically hollow out Roe v. Wade, not explicitly overturning it but leaving it a right on paper only.
It will be "like this sarcophagus of Roe that you have outside the tomb, but there's nothing inside, just an empty shell," predicts professor Josh Blackman, of South Texas College of Law Houston.
But NYU law professor Melissa Murray says the time is ripe for anti-abortion rights forces to strike more definitively.
"I think the galvanizing view within the pro-life movement is that the time has come to call the question," she says. "Why wouldn't you do it now when you have a 6-to-3 supermajority?"
"It is a new moment for the court," adds Mallory Quigley, a vice president of the anti-abortion rights Susan B. Anthony List. "What the pro-life movement is doing is throwing every type of spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks."
Anti-abortion rights forces are in fact prevailing in many state legislatures, enacting lots of different laws that restrict abortion rights. As of now, there are four cases challenging those laws pending before the Supreme Court and more than a dozen cases pending in the federal appeals courts.
Some of those appeals in the lower courts have remained undecided for as many as 2 1/2 years, suggesting that some conservative-dominated lower courts are slow-walking cases in hopes of a dramatic change in abortion rulings from the Supreme Court.
Among the restrictions involved in these cases are bans on abortions at early stages of pregnancy, with six states banning abortions after six weeks. That's before many women even realize they are pregnant. Then, too, are bans on the most common method of surgical abortions. There are laws making it more difficult to obtain medical abortions using pills. There are laws making it illegal to terminate a pregnancy because of fetal abnormalities, including Down syndrome. And there are laws aimed at making it difficult to impossible for clinics that perform abortions to remain open.
"What we're ultimately hoping for is that the Supreme Court will take the handcuffs off state legislatures and allow them to enact laws that are truly reflective of the values of the people in those states," says Quigley of the SBA List.
Abortion-rights lawyers like Stephanie Toti know they are facing an uphill battle.
"Roe v. Wade has been settled precedent for nearly 50 years and yet everybody thinks that we might be on the cusp of that precedent being overturned," she says, adding it's "really important to keep up the fight," especially because the "perspective that often gets lost" is of people like the woman who suddenly finds herself pregnant and needing an abortion, only to discover that clinics are now closed.
If the direction the conservative court is embarking on abortion is clear, it is less clear how the conservative justices will get there. NYU professor Murray points to an idea promoted in one opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas that sought to link Planned Parenthood, contraception and abortion to the racist views of the eugenics movement in the early 20th century.
Though Thomas wrote only for himself in that case, Murray points out that other conservative justices last year relied on the racist roots of laws permitting non-unanimous jury verdicts to strike them down. And she sees those opinions as "opportunistically" laying the groundwork for a different approach to reversing Roe.
"What could be better than to take down Roe on the ground that it is not just wrong in terms of your moral view of where life begins, but it's wrong because it's about racial injustice?" Murray says.
Even a year ago, the justice who would have pushed back most forcefully against that theory would have been the modern era's foremost advocate for women's legal rights and personal autonomy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her death just three months ago, and Trump's appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to replace her, however, have solidified the conservative supermajority on the court.
And if you look carefully, as professor Murray observes, anti-abortion groups now routinely refer to laws banning abortion because of fetal abnormality as "anti-discrimination laws."


npr--2020-12-31--China Approves Its Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine For Widespread Use

China Approves Its Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine For Widespread Use China 's medical products agency has given market approval to the country 's first COVID-19 vaccine , made by state-owned Sinopharm .
The conglomerate says its vaccine has a 79 % efficacy rate — surpassing the widely accepted standard of 50 % efficacy .
The approval is conditional , requiring Sinopharm to continue collecting data about the vaccine and its long-term effects .
But the arrival of another mass-produced vaccine could provide relief in countries that have been unable to secure doses of the vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. approved a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University .
The Sinopharm vaccine uses inactivated coronavirus that causes the body to produce antibodies , a more conventional approach to inoculation .
Pfizer 's and Moderna 's vaccines use a revolutionary gene-based platform .
The Chinese vaccine requires two injections .
It was created by a Sinopharm subsidiary , the China National Biotec Group , or CNBG .
The drugmaker says it has been conducting clinical studies in China as well as in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Argentina and Morocco .
`` During the summer , Beijing gave a green light for emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine and several others , '' NPR 's John Ruwitch reported for our Newscast unit .
`` State media say that millions of doses have already been administered , including to front-line medical staff and people going abroad for work .
Emergency use is set to expand . ''
Both Bahrain and the UAE — where large-scale trials of the Sinopharm vaccine took place — approved the vaccine earlier this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves the country closer to its goals of vaccinating millions more people in the coming months .
To protect itself from COVID-19 , China must vaccinate at least 700 million residents , CNBG Chairman Yang Xiaoming told Chinese state-run media .
Yang also said that he and hundreds of other CNBG employees were inoculated with a version of the company 's vaccine in March — the same month COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic .
Along with the efficacy rate , a vaccine 's ability to protect public health is tied to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who get the shot and develop antibodies to the virus .
`` The percentage of people who need to have antibodies in order to achieve herd immunity against a particular disease varies with each disease , '' the World Health Organization says .
It notes that for measles , around 95 % of a population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity , while for polio , the threshold is much lower : about 80 % .
In addition to those differences , a vaccine 's efficacy rate directly affects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent or curtail an epidemic .
Researchers have been studying how high an efficacy rate must be to protect the public without any other interventions .
One study recently concluded that a vaccine `` has to have an efficacy of at least 70 % to prevent an epidemic and of at least 80 % to largely extinguish an epidemic without any other measures ( e.g.
, social distancing ) . ''

China Approves Its Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine For Widespread Use
Enlarge this image toggle caption Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
China's medical products agency has given market approval to the country's first COVID-19 vaccine, made by state-owned Sinopharm. The conglomerate says its vaccine has a 79% efficacy rate — surpassing the widely accepted standard of 50% efficacy.
The approval is conditional, requiring Sinopharm to continue collecting data about the vaccine and its long-term effects. But the arrival of another mass-produced vaccine could provide relief in countries that have been unable to secure doses of the vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. China's approval came one day after the U.K. approved a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
The Sinopharm vaccine uses inactivated coronavirus that causes the body to produce antibodies, a more conventional approach to inoculation. Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines use a revolutionary gene-based platform.
The Chinese vaccine requires two injections. It was created by a Sinopharm subsidiary, the China National Biotec Group, or CNBG. The drugmaker says it has been conducting clinical studies in China as well as in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, Argentina and Morocco.
"During the summer, Beijing gave a green light for emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine and several others," NPR's John Ruwitch reported for our Newscast unit. "State media say that millions of doses have already been administered, including to front-line medical staff and people going abroad for work. Emergency use is set to expand."
Both Bahrain and the UAE — where large-scale trials of the Sinopharm vaccine took place — approved the vaccine earlier this month.
China's new approval for widespread use moves the country closer to its goals of vaccinating millions more people in the coming months. To protect itself from COVID-19, China must vaccinate at least 700 million residents, CNBG Chairman Yang Xiaoming told Chinese state-run media.
Yang also said that he and hundreds of other CNBG employees were inoculated with a version of the company's vaccine in March — the same month COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.
Along with the efficacy rate, a vaccine's ability to protect public health is tied to another figure: vaccine coverage — the number of people who get the shot and develop antibodies to the virus.
"The percentage of people who need to have antibodies in order to achieve herd immunity against a particular disease varies with each disease," the World Health Organization says. It notes that for measles, around 95% of a population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, while for polio, the threshold is much lower: about 80%.
In addition to those differences, a vaccine's efficacy rate directly affects the amount of coverage a population must have to prevent or curtail an epidemic. Researchers have been studying how high an efficacy rate must be to protect the public without any other interventions.
One study recently concluded that a vaccine "has to have an efficacy of at least 70% to prevent an epidemic and of at least 80% to largely extinguish an epidemic without any other measures (e.g., social distancing)."


npr--2020-12-31--Florida Becomes 3rd U.S. State To Identify New Coronavirus Variant

Florida Becomes 3rd U.S. State To Identify New Coronavirus Variant Florida is the third U.S. state to announce it has a case of the more contagious coronavirus strain that first emerged in the United Kingdom .
A man in his 20s , with no history of travel , tested positive for the mutated coronavirus .
The state Department of Health said he is in Martin County .
The man 's diagnosis follows a similar case identified in California on Wednesday in which a male patient , also in his 20s , had not spent any time outside of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first two cases in the U.S. also adhere to that pattern .
Two male members of the Colorado National Guard tested positive for the new strain — referred to as B.1.1.7 or VUI-202012/01 — and neither reported international travel .
At least one of the two men is in his 20s .
Florida officials said they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the case .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , on Wednesday said that he expected the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Referring to reports of the mutation in California , Fauci said , `` This is something that 's expected . ''
There is no evidence to suggest the new strain is more deadly , nor is there research suggesting it is impervious to the effects of the vaccines that are being administered across the country .
Florida health officials urged residents to follow public health orders and `` continue practicing COVID-19 mitigation '' to prevent further spread of the virus .
Earlier this month , Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis told Floridians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or mask mandates during the pandemic , saying such measures are `` totally off the table . ''
`` The lie of the lockdown was that if you just locked down , then you can beat the virus , '' he said .
`` Then why are people having to lockdown two or three times then ? ''
Officials say Florida has had over 1,300,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 21,000 deaths .

Florida Becomes 3rd U.S. State To Identify New Coronavirus Variant
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lynne Sladky/AP Lynne Sladky/AP
Florida is the third U.S. state to announce it has a case of the more contagious coronavirus strain that first emerged in the United Kingdom.
A man in his 20s, with no history of travel, tested positive for the mutated coronavirus. The state Department of Health said he is in Martin County.
The man's diagnosis follows a similar case identified in California on Wednesday in which a male patient, also in his 20s, had not spent any time outside of the U.S. in the weeks prior to his illness.
The first two cases in the U.S. also adhere to that pattern. Two male members of the Colorado National Guard tested positive for the new strain — referred to as B.1.1.7 or VUI-202012/01 — and neither reported international travel. At least one of the two men is in his 20s.
Florida officials said they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the case.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, on Wednesday said that he expected the new variant is likely present in multiple states.
Referring to reports of the mutation in California, Fauci said, "This is something that's expected."
There is no evidence to suggest the new strain is more deadly, nor is there research suggesting it is impervious to the effects of the vaccines that are being administered across the country.
Florida health officials urged residents to follow public health orders and "continue practicing COVID-19 mitigation" to prevent further spread of the virus.
Earlier this month, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis told Floridians they should not expect any additional lockdowns or mask mandates during the pandemic, saying such measures are "totally off the table."
"The lie of the lockdown was that if you just locked down, then you can beat the virus," he said. "Then why are people having to lockdown two or three times then?"
Officials say Florida has had over 1,300,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 21,000 deaths.


npr--2020-01-31--For Some Iowa Voters, Caucuses Remain A Barrier To Participation

For Some Iowa Voters , Caucuses Remain A Barrier To Participation Marlu Abarca has lived in Iowa for a decade and says she now `` identifies as an Iowan . ''
For the past few weeks she 's been attending training sessions to chair a satellite caucus site at the South Suburban YMCA in Des Moines .
Even so , she 'll have to miss work to participate .
`` I have to take vacation to chair the satellite caucus , '' Abarca , 28 , said during a lunch break from her job at a Des Moines library .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has to make special arrangements to participate in Monday 's caucuses , or who may be unable to participate at all .
To caucus , voters have to show up in person at 7 p.m. CT , at a specific location .
They can expect to spend some time , multiple hours even , at that location .
That tends to pose problems for a lot of voters : parents who do n't have childcare options ; employees who work irregular schedules and ca n't take time off ; and people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process that demands a lengthy amount of physical presence , often in a crowded room .
Iowa is home to more than 3 million people , but the most that have participated in a presidential caucus was about 240,000 for the 2008 Democratic contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton .
In 2016 , slightly more than 171,000 people turned out for the Democratic caucuses .
`` I think that there are more accessible ways to involve people in the democratic process .
After being in Iowa for 10 years and identifying as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first in the nation and having something like a caucus feels so special to Iowans , '' Abarca said .
`` The Midwest is often left out in a lot of conversations nationally .
So to get this type of attention is different ...
But we have to recognize that we inherently do n't have a society that 's inclusive and values people 's right to vote . ''
With an eye toward making the caucuses more accessible for all voters , the Iowa Democratic Party has ushered in some changes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for voters to sort out their support for candidates .
They 've also expanded `` satellite caucuses , '' like the one that Abarca is leading in Des Moines .
That was the party 's way of extending access for people who can not attend one of 1,678 designated caucus sites .
All told , there will be 90 satellite caucus sites this year , most of them in Iowa .
About a half dozen will be Spanish language satellite caucus sites , including the one Abarca is chairing in Des Moines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to run a caucus , something she 's never done before , and learning how to translate an already confusing process from English to Spanish .
One thing that she and other organizers have encountered is the fact that the word `` caucus '' lacks a Spanish equivalent .
`` It 's similar to the term 'marketing , ' where in Spanish there 's no comparable word that would represent the idea of what marketing is .
So the Spanish language has simply adopted the word 'márketing . '
Very similarly 'cau-kos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abarca explained .
`` More and more Spanish speakers are becoming familiar with the term , but there 's no other word . ''
Activists and organizers have raised concerns about language barriers , and note that while there are now Spanish language satellite caucuses , the roughly 194,000 Latinos in Iowa — some , though not all , speak primarily Spanish — are scattered across the state and may need access to interpreters to understand the process .
`` For the first time in a caucus cycle we have a full time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] and Latinx outreach director , and accessibility outreach director to help make sure all Iowans have the resources they need to caucus , including translation services at the caucuses , '' said IDP communications director Mandy McClure in a statement that pointed out a number of other changes .
`` Expanding participation has been at the heart of all of these changes , and we will continue to work to look for ways to increase accessibility on caucus night . ''
One group , the Latinx Iowa Caucus Education Project has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa to participate , circulating non-partisan videos to educate would-be participants on the process , which relies on person-to-person contact at community meetings .
The move to expand the satellite caucus program , which was piloted by the state party in 2016 , came after plans for the `` virtual '' caucus program — which would have allowed caucus participation over the phone or through video chat .
But the Democratic National Committee rejected that proposal last year over cyber security concerns .
That means that even with the addition of satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person to participate .
`` Obviously , caucusing is an activity that requires a physical presence , so there in lies the crux of the problem with regard to a few different populations of people , '' said Reyma McCoy McDeid , the executive director of the Central Iowa Center for Independent Living .
`` When we talk about voter suppression initiatives that occur across the country , we tend to focus on one particular political party .
But the fact of the matter is voter marginalization , voter suppression is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfortunately , a fantastic example of that , '' she added .
The Central Iowa Center for Independent Living , or CICIL , is also hosting a satellite caucus , specifically aimed at making the caucus process more inclusive .
It starts two hours prior to the 7 p.m. start time typical in precincts across the state , will include food and childcare ( including a caucus activity just for kids ) .
There will be quiet space with softer light for people who need a space with less sensory overload , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need it .
Participants are being reminded that , while caucuses can be loud , passionate affairs , they should be mindful of their volume `` for the sake of caucusers who experience neurodiversity , overstimulation or anxiety . ''
An American Sign Language , or ASL , caucus will take place in a different room .
Emmanuel Smith is also participating in a satellite caucus , one they petitioned to hold in the lobby of their apartment building .
Smith , who works for the advocacy group Disability Rights Iowa , uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatigue .
In 2016 , it took more than an hour for them to reach their caucus site .
Once they arrived , they found it was too crowded to maneuver through the crowds , even to use the restroom .
`` Having a satellite location in my apartment building was one of the only ways I knew to at least give me a good chance of being able to attend , '' Smith said in an interview at Disability Rights Iowa 's Des Moines office .
`` Not a guarantee , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commutes and different issues I 've encountered in previous years . ''
The Iowa Democratic Party has worked to ensure that disabled Iowans have a better experience than in 2016 , when many said they struggled to participate .
They launched an online form for people to request accommodations and have recently added a new , disability director .
The national party has applauded these moves .
`` I 'm proud of the historic steps taken by the Iowa Democratic Party to increase participation and accessibility in the Iowa caucuses , '' DNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` These efforts include hiring a caucus accessibility director , having satellite caucuses , and requiring every caucus location to meet accessibility standards .
This did n't happen overnight .
This happened because of the leadership of the Iowa Democratic Party and the tireless work of disability advocates . ''
The staff of Disability Rights Iowa and other advocates say that satellite caucuses are just a stop-gap , rather than a long-term solution .
`` It 's like trying to fix your basement foundation with some masking tape , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Disability Rights Iowa , They want to see more changes to the caucuses , including options that allow Iowans to participate without showing up in person like absentee ballots or proxy voting .
Such options have n't come into play because of fears that an absentee ballot would lead the caucuses to be considered a primary election by officials in New Hampshire , who oversee the country 's first primary and might try to jump ahead in the nominating process .
`` There 's 300,000 Iowans with disabilities of voting age , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , '' Jane Hudson , the executive director of Disability Rights Iowa .
`` If they do n't have a voice because they ca n't even participate in the first stage of picking presidents , they are really being disenfranchised . ''

For Some Iowa Voters, Caucuses Remain A Barrier To Participation
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP Patrick Semansky/AP
Marlu Abarca has lived in Iowa for a decade and says she now "identifies as an Iowan." For the past few weeks, she has been attending training sessions to chair a satellite caucus site at the South Suburban YMCA in Des Moines.
She'll have to miss work to participate.
"I have to take vacation to chair the satellite caucus," Abarca, 28, said during a lunch break from her job at a Des Moines library.
Abarca is far from the only Iowan who has to make special arrangements to participate in Monday's caucuses or who may be unable to participate at all. To caucus, voters have to show up in person at 7 p.m. CT, at a specific location. They can expect to spend some time, multiple hours even, at that location.
That tends to pose problems for a lot of voters: parents who don't have child care options; employees who work irregular schedules and can't take time off; and people with disabilities who may struggle to navigate a process that demands a lengthy amount of physical presence, often in a crowded room.
Iowa is home to more than 3 million people, of which there are about 2 million registered voters, but the most that have participated in a presidential caucus was about 240,000 for the 2008 Democratic contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In 2016, slightly more than 171,000 people turned out for the Democratic caucuses.
"I think that there are more accessible ways to involve people in the democratic process. After being in Iowa for 10 years and identifying as an Iowan, I understand why being the first in the nation and having something like a caucus feels so special to Iowans," Abarca said. "The Midwest is often left out in a lot of conversations nationally. So to get this type of attention is different ... But we have to recognize that we inherently don't have a society that's inclusive and values people's right to vote."
With an eye toward making the caucuses more accessible for all voters, the Iowa Democratic Party has ushered in some changes, including early check-in and a streamlined process for voters to sort out their support for candidates. They've also expanded "satellite caucuses."
That was the party's way of extending access for people who cannot attend one of 1,678 designated caucus sites. All told, there will be 90 satellite caucus sites this year, most of them in Iowa. About a half-dozen will be Spanish-language satellite caucus sites, including the one Abarca is chairing in Des Moines.
She has been attending meetings to learn how to run a caucus, something she has never done before, and how to translate an already confusing process from English to Spanish. One thing that she and other organizers have encountered is that the word "caucus" lacks a Spanish equivalent.
"It's similar to the term 'marketing,' where in Spanish there's no comparable word that would represent the idea of what marketing is. So the Spanish language has simply adopted the word 'márketing.' Very similarly, 'cau-kos' or just 'caucus,' " Abarca explained. "More and more Spanish speakers are becoming familiar with the term, but there's no other word."
Activists and organizers have raised concerns about language barriers and note that while there are now Spanish language satellite caucuses, the roughly 194,000 Latinos in Iowa — some, though not all, speak primarily Spanish — are scattered across the state and may need access to interpreters to understand the process.
"For the first time in a caucus cycle, we have a full-time AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islander] and Latinx outreach director, and accessibility outreach director to help make sure all Iowans have the resources they need to caucus, including translation services at the caucuses," said Iowa Democratic Party communications director Mandy McClure in a statement that pointed out a number of other changes. "Expanding participation has been at the heart of all of these changes, and we will continue to work to look for ways to increase accessibility on caucus night."
One group, the Latinx Iowa Caucus Education Project has been working for months to get more Latinos in Iowa to participate, circulating nonpartisan videos to educate would-be participants on the process, which relies on person-to-person contact at community meetings.
The move to expand the satellite caucus program, which was piloted by the state party in 2016, came after plans stalled for the "virtual" caucus program — which would have allowed caucus participation over the phone or through video chat. The Democratic National Committee rejected that proposal last year over cybersecurity concerns. Thus, Iowans must still show up in person to participate.
"Obviously, caucusing is an activity that requires a physical presence, so there in lies the crux of the problem with regard to a few different populations of people," said Reyma McCoy McDeid, the executive director of the Central Iowa Center for Independent Living.
"When we talk about voter suppression initiatives that occur across the country, we tend to focus on one particular political party. But the fact of the matter is voter marginalization, voter suppression is a nonpartisan phenomenon, and the caucuses are, unfortunately, a fantastic example of that," she added.
The center is hosting a satellite caucus that will start two hours prior to the typical 7 p.m. start time and will include food and child care (including a caucus activity just for kids).
There will be quiet space with softer light for people in need of less sensory overload and space to lie down for those who need it. Participants are being reminded that while caucuses can be loud, passionate affairs, they should be mindful of their volume "for the sake of caucusers who experience neurodiversity, overstimulation or anxiety." An American Sign Language caucus will take place in a different room.
Emmanuel Smith is also participating in a satellite caucus, one they petitioned to hold in the lobby of their apartment building.
Smith, who works for the advocacy group Disability Rights Iowa, uses a wheelchair and has chronic pain and fatigue. In 2016, it took more than an hour for them to reach their caucus site. Once they arrived, they found it was too crowded to maneuver through the crowds or even to use the restroom.
"Having a satellite location in my apartment building was one of the only ways I knew to at least give me a good chance of being able to attend," Smith said in an interview at Disability Rights Iowa's Des Moines office. "Not a guarantee, but prevent, you know, the long commutes and different issues I've encountered in previous years."
The Iowa Democratic Party has worked to ensure that disabled Iowans have a better experience than in 2016, when many said they struggled to participate. They launched an online form for people to request accommodations and have recently added disability director.
The national party has applauded these moves.
"I'm proud of the historic steps taken by the Iowa Democratic Party to increase participation and accessibility in the Iowa caucuses," DNC Disability Council chair Tony Coelho said in a statement. "These efforts include hiring a caucus accessibility director, having satellite caucuses, and requiring every caucus location to meet accessibility standards. This didn't happen overnight. This happened because of the leadership of the Iowa Democratic Party and the tireless work of disability advocates."
The staff of Disability Rights Iowa and other advocates say that satellite caucuses are just a stopgap, rather than a long-term solution.
"It's like trying to fix your basement foundation with some masking tape," said Annie Matte, voting outreach coordinator at Disability Rights Iowa.
They want to see more changes to the caucuses, including options that allow Iowans to participate without showing up in person like absentee ballots or proxy voting. Such options haven't come into play because of fears that an absentee ballot would lead the caucuses to be considered a primary election by officials in New Hampshire, who oversee the country's first primary and might try to jump ahead in the nominating process.
"There's 300,000 Iowans with disabilities of voting age, so this is a big group of people," Jane Hudson, the executive director of Disability Rights Iowa. "If they don't have a voice because they can't even participate in the first stage of picking presidents, they are really being disenfranchised."