npr--2020-12-05--With Georgia Rally, Trump Tests Role As Asset Or Liability For Senate GOP Control

With Georgia Rally , Trump Tests Role As Asset Or Liability For Senate GOP Control When President Trump hosts a campaign rally later today in Georgia — a state he 's repeatedly attacked with false claims of election fraud — he 'll test whether he will be an asset or a liability for Republican hopes to keep control of the Senate .
It marks the president 's first return to the campaign trail since he lost his bid for re-election , triggering Trump 's rampage against states that voted for President-elect Joe Biden .
This includes Georgia , where Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's election system and top Republican officials , including Gov .
Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger .
`` It leaves Republicans fighting with each other , instead of fighting their opponents , '' said Brendan Buck , who was a top advisor to the former Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan .
And `` in an election that 's going to be close enough , those distractions can be enough to make the difference . ''
Two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia will be decided in runoff races on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which party will run the upper chamber come next year .
GOP Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are vying against Democrats to win what they say will be the final line of Republican defense .
By contrast , Trump 's Georgia visit will put on display the rip currents he has inserted into his party 's high-stakes race , from discrediting the state 's leaders to raising doubts about its voting system .
And he could very well re-air his grievances with the election results , Georgia and its top Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about that , '' said West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito .
`` But I think his core message needs to be the enthusiasm for our two senators . ''
In the run up , Georgia has already drawn a wave of 2024 hopefuls , and Vice President Mike Pence visited the state a second time to rally for Senate Republicans on Friday .
But the conflicts remain .
This past week , a top Georgia election official made an emotional plea for Trump and his allies to stop their attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says have led to death threats against those overseeing a recount .
`` Someone 's going to get hurt , someone 's going to get shot , someone 's going to get killed , '' said Gabriel Sterling , with the secretary of state 's office .
`` It 's not right . ''
Staying on topic remains a tall order for Trump .
If he does deviate to his grievances with Georgia , it would rehash a wave of mixed messaging that could plague Republicans ' win of the Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race when it comes to voter enthusiasm to protect against what she and other Republicans call far-left threats .
`` I think that the president could rev up the troops in terms of enthusiasm and talk about how absolutely important this is to retain the majority in the United States Senate , '' Capito said , `` And it means the difference between very radical policies and and being a check on those radical policies . ''
Several Senate Republicans say they remain hopeful Trump can get the job done .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he 's optimistic of his party 's chances there thanks to strong ground game , and expectations turnout will swing in their favor .
And he says he 's glad Trump is visiting the state .
`` I hope he encourages voters to get out and vote , '' Blunt said .
`` So much of what has been accomplished in the last four years in the courts , and in taxes , and the overall economic environment we saw before COVID will be able to move forward if Republicans continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` and I hope that 's his message . ''
South Dakota GOP Sen. Mike Rounds argues what happens in the Georgia race will play a large role in Trump 's legacy .
And if he remains focused , it will boost Republican arguments that they can continue the work that he started , Rounds said .
`` If we are able to retain the United States Senate , his legacy will be protected .
We 'll have a strong economy .
We 'll have lower unemployment rates , '' Rounds said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to at least moderate what some very liberal politicians would like to do in Washington , D.C. , to the rest of the country . ''
It 's still a tricky argument to make in Georgia since Trump has yet to concede his loss .
So far , the 100-member Senate will be comprised of 50 Republicans as a result of the November elections , leaving the party one seat short of chamber control that could have been decided with a Republican vice president .
Now , with Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 seats come January , they 'll hope for a sweep in Georgia to reach 50 members .
With Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the helm , she would break ties in Democrats ' favor .
Under normal circumstances , sans Trump , Republicans would be expected to win the two Senate seats in Georgia , argues Buck , the former Paul Ryan advisor .
And while the state elected Biden , the two Democrats in the running — Jon Ossoff facing off against Perdue and Rev .
Raphael Warnock against Loeffler — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
But with Trump discouraging voter participation and putting doubt into his voters minds about the integrity of the election , it 's a matter of time before they stop participating , he said .
And that is what could cost Perdue and Loeffler .
`` You ca n't tell people that the system is rigged and expect them all to participate in it .
So they 're really in a pretty unfortunate spot , '' Buck said .
`` It 's not the strategy that I think any of them would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is around , it 's the strategy that you 're left with . ''
Among the concerns , pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood has urged voters to boycott the election and fraud claims by longtime lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
That creates a distraction and a drag on Republican voter turnout in a race that is virtually an enthusiasm election .
Both Perdue , who is running for his second term , and Loeffler , who was appointed to her seat by the governor and seeking her first election , have had to strongly align @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's too late to try to reset that image , and have to focus on driving out the base , Buck said .
`` That is why it 's so critical for them to go along with all of Trump 's nonsense , because the risk of him turning on them and saying that they 're surrendering — or they 're not fighters — could potentially be fatal for them , '' Buck said .
If Republicans were n't having to navigate the intra-party fighting , they could spend their time focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , and the risk to the Senate majority , Buck said .
If they were able to focus on this later message , they win , he said .
Instead , they are having to fend off distractions , and the long list of antics by Trump and his allies attacking the state and its political leaders , Buck said .
Still , Republican campaign officials reject that premise .
They maintain that Trump will deliver a united party message to Georgia voters .
`` The President 's rally on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the far-left 's socialist agenda is to turn out for Senators Perdue and Loeffler , '' said Nathan Brand , spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee .
`` The President 's message for Georgians is clear : if you 're angry with what happened , the only way to changes things is to vote for Senators Perdue and Loeffler in the Georgia runoffs . ''

With Georgia Rally, Trump Tests Role As Asset Or Liability For Senate GOP Control
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
When President Trump hosts a campaign rally later today in Georgia — a state he's repeatedly attacked with false claims of election fraud — he'll test whether he will be an asset or a liability for Republican hopes to keep control of the Senate.
It marks the president's first return to the campaign trail since he lost his bid for re-election, triggering Trump's rampage against states that voted for President-elect Joe Biden.
This includes Georgia, where Trump and his associates have assailed the state's election system and top Republican officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
"It leaves Republicans fighting with each other, instead of fighting their opponents," said Brendan Buck, who was a top advisor to the former Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. And "in an election that's going to be close enough, those distractions can be enough to make the difference."
Two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia will be decided in runoff races on Jan. 5, with the outcome dictating which party will run the upper chamber come next year. GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are vying against Democrats to win what they say will be the final line of Republican defense.
By contrast, Trump's Georgia visit will put on display the rip currents he has inserted into his party's high-stakes race, from discrediting the state's leaders to raising doubts about its voting system. And he could very well re-air his grievances with the election results, Georgia and its top Republicans.
"I would imagine he will talk about that," said West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. "But I think his core message needs to be the enthusiasm for our two senators."
In the run up, Georgia has already drawn a wave of 2024 hopefuls, and Vice President Mike Pence visited the state a second time to rally for Senate Republicans on Friday.
But the conflicts remain. This past week, a top Georgia election official made an emotional plea for Trump and his allies to stop their attacks against the state's leaders, that he says have led to death threats against those overseeing a recount.
"Someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to get shot, someone's going to get killed," said Gabriel Sterling, with the secretary of state's office. "It's not right."
"I hope he encourages voters"
Staying on topic remains a tall order for Trump. If he does deviate to his grievances with Georgia, it would rehash a wave of mixed messaging that could plague Republicans' win of the Senate.
Capito says Trump can bring value to the race when it comes to voter enthusiasm to protect against what she and other Republicans call far-left threats.
"I think that the president could rev up the troops in terms of enthusiasm and talk about how absolutely important this is to retain the majority in the United States Senate," Capito said, "And it means the difference between very radical policies and and being a check on those radical policies."
Several Senate Republicans say they remain hopeful Trump can get the job done.
Among them, Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said he's optimistic of his party's chances there thanks to strong ground game, and expectations turnout will swing in their favor. And he says he's glad Trump is visiting the state.
"I hope he encourages voters to get out and vote," Blunt said. "So much of what has been accomplished in the last four years in the courts, and in taxes, and the overall economic environment we saw before COVID will be able to move forward if Republicans continue to control the Senate."
Blunt added, "and I hope that's his message."
South Dakota GOP Sen. Mike Rounds argues what happens in the Georgia race will play a large role in Trump's legacy. And if he remains focused, it will boost Republican arguments that they can continue the work that he started, Rounds said.
"If we are able to retain the United States Senate, his legacy will be protected. We'll have a strong economy. We'll have lower unemployment rates," Rounds said, "and hopefully we'll continue to be able to at least moderate what some very liberal politicians would like to do in Washington, D.C., to the rest of the country."
It's still a tricky argument to make in Georgia since Trump has yet to concede his loss. So far, the 100-member Senate will be comprised of 50 Republicans as a result of the November elections, leaving the party one seat short of chamber control that could have been decided with a Republican vice president.
Now, with Democrats and two independents who caucus with them claiming 48 seats come January, they'll hope for a sweep in Georgia to reach 50 members. With Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the helm, she would break ties in Democrats' favor.
Mixed messaging
Under normal circumstances, sans Trump, Republicans would be expected to win the two Senate seats in Georgia, argues Buck, the former Paul Ryan advisor.
And while the state elected Biden, the two Democrats in the running — Jon Ossoff facing off against Perdue and Rev. Raphael Warnock against Loeffler — swing farther to the left, he said.
But with Trump discouraging voter participation and putting doubt into his voters minds about the integrity of the election, it's a matter of time before they stop participating, he said. And that is what could cost Perdue and Loeffler.
"You can't tell people that the system is rigged and expect them all to participate in it. So they're really in a pretty unfortunate spot," Buck said. "It's not the strategy that I think any of them would want to have. But when Trump is around, it's the strategy that you're left with."
Among the concerns, pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood has urged voters to boycott the election and fraud claims by longtime lawyer Rudy Giuliani. That creates a distraction and a drag on Republican voter turnout in a race that is virtually an enthusiasm election.
Both Perdue, who is running for his second term, and Loeffler, who was appointed to her seat by the governor and seeking her first election, have had to strongly align as Trump allies. Now, it's too late to try to reset that image, and have to focus on driving out the base, Buck said.
"That is why it's so critical for them to go along with all of Trump's nonsense, because the risk of him turning on them and saying that they're surrendering — or they're not fighters — could potentially be fatal for them," Buck said.
If Republicans weren't having to navigate the intra-party fighting, they could spend their time focusing on how Democrats are out of step with the state, and the risk to the Senate majority, Buck said. If they were able to focus on this later message, they win, he said.
Instead, they are having to fend off distractions, and the long list of antics by Trump and his allies attacking the state and its political leaders, Buck said.
Still, Republican campaign officials reject that premise. They maintain that Trump will deliver a united party message to Georgia voters.
"The President's rally on Saturday will remind voters that the only way to stop the far-left's socialist agenda is to turn out for Senators Perdue and Loeffler," said Nathan Brand, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "The President's message for Georgians is clear: if you're angry with what happened, the only way to changes things is to vote for Senators Perdue and Loeffler in the Georgia runoffs."


npr--2020-12-05--Pence Says It's A 'Season Of Hope,' While CDC Officials Warn Of COVID-19 Surge

Pence Says It 's A 'Season Of Hope , ' While CDC Officials Warn Of COVID-19 Surge Vice President Pence traveled to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Friday for a briefing , saying America is `` in a season of hope '' and `` help is on the way '' with emergency use authorization for the first coronavirus vaccine potentially less than two weeks away .
But what Pence heard from some of the nation 's top public health officials was a grim assessment of the current state of the pandemic .
Pence noted new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midwest states , asking for an update on the surge .
Dr. Henry Walke , director of the CDC 's division of preparedness and emerging infections , told him the strain on hospitals was still growing .
`` Hospitalizations are still rising .
And it 's a real problem .
Health care providers are overstretched , beds are full , '' Walke said , providing the `` very tough advice '' for Americans to stay at home during the holiday season .
Dr. Robert Redfield , the CDC 's director , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the health care system from becoming completely overwhelmed .
Pence said the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna could get preliminary authorization from the Food and Drug Administration the week of Dec. 14 and said doses could be delivered quickly .
`` Within 48 hours from the FDA approval , we could be vaccinating people literally in all 50 states and territories all across the country , '' Pence said .
But Dr. Jay Butler , the CDC 's deputy director for infectious diseases , delivered a grim dose of reality .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the beginning , '' Butler said .
`` This will be a marathon and not a sprint . ''
Most vaccines will require two doses , and some must be kept at extremely cold temperatures , meaning it wo n't be straightforward to vaccinate Americans , and will be far more challenging than seasonal flu campaigns or other past vaccination efforts .
States need more funding to help distribute vaccines , and CDC officials also highlighted the need for a concerted public information campaign to convince Americans they should get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pence later asked whether the first 40 million doses , expected in late December and targeted for nursing home residents and front-line health care workers , would improve the situation in the United States .
`` When would you expect to see an impact on the pandemic as we roll the vaccine out ? ''
Pence asked the experts .
Walke said the vaccine could begin to help people in long-term care and nursing homes in the foreseeable future , noting 40 % of deaths are linked to those populations .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix .
`` We 'll need to continue these mitigation measures — the spacing , washing our hands , wearing a mask — probably well into the spring until we get more widely available vaccine , '' Walke said .

Pence Says It's A 'Season Of Hope,' While CDC Officials Warn Of COVID-19 Surge
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Bazemore/AP John Bazemore/AP
Vice President Pence traveled to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Friday for a briefing, saying America is "in a season of hope" and "help is on the way" with emergency use authorization for the first coronavirus vaccine potentially less than two weeks away.
But what Pence heard from some of the nation's top public health officials was a grim assessment of the current state of the pandemic.
Pence noted new cases had declined somewhat in the upper Midwest states, asking for an update on the surge. Dr. Henry Walke, director of the CDC's division of preparedness and emerging infections, told him the strain on hospitals was still growing.
"Hospitalizations are still rising. And it's a real problem. Health care providers are overstretched, beds are full," Walke said, providing the "very tough advice" for Americans to stay at home during the holiday season. Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC's director, said the focus now is just on trying to prevent the health care system from becoming completely overwhelmed.
Pence said the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna could get preliminary authorization from the Food and Drug Administration the week of Dec. 14 and said doses could be delivered quickly. "Within 48 hours from the FDA approval, we could be vaccinating people literally in all 50 states and territories all across the country," Pence said.
But Dr. Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases, delivered a grim dose of reality. "The week of the 14th is only the beginning of the beginning," Butler said. "This will be a marathon and not a sprint."
Most vaccines will require two doses, and some must be kept at extremely cold temperatures, meaning it won't be straightforward to vaccinate Americans, and will be far more challenging than seasonal flu campaigns or other past vaccination efforts.
States need more funding to help distribute vaccines, and CDC officials also highlighted the need for a concerted public information campaign to convince Americans they should get vaccinated and that the vaccines are safe.
Pence later asked whether the first 40 million doses, expected in late December and targeted for nursing home residents and front-line health care workers, would improve the situation in the United States. "When would you expect to see an impact on the pandemic as we roll the vaccine out?" Pence asked the experts.
Walke said the vaccine could begin to help people in long-term care and nursing homes in the foreseeable future, noting 40% of deaths are linked to those populations. But he cautioned there was not a quick fix.
"We'll need to continue these mitigation measures — the spacing, washing our hands, wearing a mask — probably well into the spring until we get more widely available vaccine," Walke said.


npr--2020-12-05--Millions Of Census Records May Be Flawed, Jeopardizing Trump's Bid To Alter Count

Millions Of Census Records May Be Flawed , Jeopardizing Trump 's Bid To Alter Count The Census Bureau has found irregularities in records for this year 's national tally that , if left unfixed , could miscount millions of people .
This latest development enlarges the scale of an ongoing setback to President Trump 's push to exclude unauthorized immigrants from a key census count — an unprecedented change that Trump may not be able to make , regardless of how the Supreme Court rules in a legal challenge over whether the president can alter numbers that federal law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole number of persons '' living in each state .
Leaked documents obtained by the House Oversight and Reform Committee previously confirmed that as of late last month , the bureau identified what it has described as `` processing anomalies '' that affect more than 1 million records for the 2020 census .
But the number of potentially flawed records has now ballooned into the millions , according to a person familiar with census operations who was not authorized to speak for the bureau .
The agency has unearthed major inconsistencies in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of college dorms , prisons and other group living quarters — a category that , for the 2010 census , included around 8 million people .
The time it will likely take to resolve these anomalies — as well as any additional ones that may pop up in the coming weeks — adds to mounting complications that could cement the bureau 's inability to put together the first set of census results before the end of Trump 's term in January .
Bureau officials have instructed teams within the agency to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem and come up with potential solutions by Sunday , as first reported by The New York Times .
The Census Bureau and Commerce Department , which oversees the bureau , have not responded to NPR 's requests for comment .
During oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Monday , the Trump administration 's attorney , acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall , called the timing of the release of census results — as well as the state-by-state count of unauthorized immigrants that Trump would need to carry out his plan — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal documents released by the House Oversight Committee this week show that , as NPR and other news outlets have reported , the bureau is on track to miss the legal deadline of Dec. 31 for reporting the latest state population counts used to determine each state 's share of votes in the House of Representatives and Electoral College for the next decade .
Federal laws require those numbers to be handed off from the commerce secretary , who oversees the bureau , to the president and then to Congress .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clerk of the House , which remains under Democratic control and may not accept any altered numbers from President Trump .
Nonetheless , the process for reapportioning congressional seats may end up taking place during the administration of President-elect Joe Biden , based on the timeline outlined by the leaked files .
One of the documents , dated Nov. 27 , also warns of a `` significant overcount '' in some college towns because of an irregularity affecting more than 240,000 dorm records .
In previous years , the bureau has run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts .
What is unusual with this year 's count is that under the sped-up schedule the Trump administration is trying to impose on the bureau , the agency 's staffers are running out of time to correct errors and run additional quality checks .
Some career officials inside the Census Bureau are concerned that Trump may eventually force the release of census data that do n't meet the bureau 's quality standards .
The administration has already made decision after decision that have rebuffed career civil servants ' warnings about serious risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counting early , the administration has forced the bureau to make cuts to its plans for reviewing census results for flaws .
Because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic , that process was expected to continue through April 2021 .
But in July , after deciding to stop asking Congress to extend legal reporting deadlines to allow for the extra time , Trump officials pumped up pressure on the bureau to put out results in time for Trump to receive them while in office .
That abrupt shift upended the bureau 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a presidential memo in July .
It calls for the bureau to come up with a count of unauthorized immigrants that could be subtracted from the census apportionment numbers for the first time in U.S. history .
Three lower courts have blocked that memo after finding it unlawful , and the Supreme Court may weigh in with its ruling as soon as this month .
To try to meet the administration 's demands , the bureau quietly canceled an external quality-checking effort scheduled for September that would have allowed state demographers to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about college dorms and other group quarters .
Because a federal judge temporarily suspended the administration 's plans to end counting early , that count review operation was ultimately rescheduled and 39 states provided updates to the bureau 's files .
The bureau confirmed to NPR in October that around 500 additional group quarter facilities were flagged for census workers , also known as enumerators , to count .
Still , during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday , Joseph Salvo , New York City 's chief demographer , raised concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about group quarters given all of the last-minute changes .
`` There are some jurisdictions in this country with large numbers of ... group quarters that define who they are , and it 's a distribution that affects some areas much more than others , '' Salvo told lawmakers .
`` We are very concerned that the truncation of the schedule , less time in the field to get those answers , has caused the Census Bureau to push their enumerators to a point where , frankly , we 've compromised the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national head count could skew how much of an estimated $ 1.5 trillion a year in federal funding each community gets for Medicare , Medicaid and other public services based partly on census data .
They could also affect the distribution of political power over the next 10 years .
In response to the leaked documents about the million or so potentially flawed records publicly known at the time , the bureau released a statement on Wednesday emphasizing that the irregularities `` affect less than seven-tenths of one percent of records . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts can have a big impact on how representation in Congress is divided up .
After the 2010 census , North Carolina lost the last House seat to Minnesota because of a difference of fewer than 15,800 people .
And after the count in 2000 , Utah lost to North Carolina because its tally of residents came in shorter by 856 .

Millions Of Census Records May Be Flawed, Jeopardizing Trump's Bid To Alter Count
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
The Census Bureau has found irregularities in records for this year's national tally that, if left unfixed, could miscount millions of people.
This latest development enlarges the scale of an ongoing setback to President Trump's push to exclude unauthorized immigrants from a key census count — an unprecedented change that Trump may not be able to make, regardless of how the Supreme Court rules in a legal challenge over whether the president can alter numbers that federal law and the Constitution say must include the "whole number of persons in each state."
Leaked documents obtained by the House Oversight and Reform Committee previously confirmed that as of late last month, the bureau identified what it has described as "processing anomalies" that affect more than 1 million records for the 2020 census.
But the number of potentially flawed records has ballooned into the millions, according to a person familiar with census operations who was not authorized to speak for the bureau. The agency has unearthed major inconsistencies in the information it has gathered this year about residents of college dorms, prisons and other group living quarters — a category that, for the 2010 census, included around 8 million people.
The time it will likely take to resolve these anomalies — as well as any additional ones that may pop up in the coming weeks — adds to mounting complications that could cement the bureau's inability to put together the first set of census results before the end of Trump's term in January.
Bureau officials have instructed teams within the agency to try to determine the exact magnitude of the problem and come up with potential solutions by Sunday, as first reported by The New York Times.
The Census Bureau and Commerce Department, which oversees the bureau, have not responded to NPR's requests for comment.
During oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Monday, the Trump administration's attorney, acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, called the timing of the release of census results — as well as the state-by-state count of unauthorized immigrants that Trump would need to carry out his plan — a "fairly fluid" situation.
Leaked documents detailed 'anomalies'
The internal documents released by the House Oversight Committee this week show that, as NPR and other news outlets have reported, the bureau is on track to miss the legal deadline of Dec. 31 for reporting the latest state population counts used to determine each state's share of votes in the House of Representatives and Electoral College for the next decade.
Federal laws require those numbers to be handed off from the commerce secretary to the president and then to Congress. The new congressional apportionment counts are ultimately certified by the Clerk of the House, which remains under Democratic control and may not accept any altered numbers from Trump.
Nonetheless, the process for reapportioning congressional seats may end up taking place during the administration of President-elect Joe Biden, based on the timeline outlined by the leaked files.
One of the documents, dated Nov. 27, also warns of a "significant overcount" in some college towns because of an irregularity affecting more than 240,000 dorm records.
Running out of time?
In previous years, the bureau has run into similar snags after wrapping up tallying counts.
What is unusual with this year's count is that under the sped-up schedule the Trump administration is trying to impose on the bureau, the agency's staffers are running out of time to correct errors and run additional quality checks.
Some career officials inside the Census Bureau are concerned that Trump may eventually force the release of census data that don't meet the bureau's quality standards.
The administration has already made decision after decision that have rebuffed career civil servants' warnings about serious risks to accuracy.
In addition to ending counting early, the administration has forced the bureau to make cuts to its plans for reviewing census results for flaws. Because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, that process was expected to continue through April 2021. But in July, after deciding to stop asking Congress to extend legal reporting deadlines to allow for the extra time, Trump officials pumped up pressure on the bureau to put out results in time for Trump to receive them while in office.
That abrupt shift upended the bureau's plans around the same time Trump issued a presidential memo in July. It calls for the bureau to come up with a count of unauthorized immigrants that could be subtracted from the census apportionment numbers for the first time in U.S. history. Three lower courts have blocked that memo after finding it unlawful, and the Supreme Court may weigh in with its ruling as soon as this month.
Truncating a quality check
To try to meet the administration's demands, the bureau quietly canceled an external quality-checking effort scheduled for September that would have allowed state demographers to help resolve errors in the bureau's records about college dorms and other group quarters.
Because a federal judge temporarily suspended the administration's plans to end counting early, that count review operation was ultimately rescheduled and 39 states provided updates to the bureau's files. The bureau confirmed to NPR in October that around 500 additional group quarter facilities were flagged for census workers, also known as enumerators, to count.
Still, during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday, Joseph Salvo, New York City's chief demographer, raised concerns about the accuracy of this year's data about group quarters given all of the last-minute changes.
"There are some jurisdictions in this country with large numbers of ... group quarters that define who they are, and it's a distribution that affects some areas much more than others," Salvo told lawmakers. "We are very concerned that the truncation of the schedule, less time in the field to get those answers, has caused the Census Bureau to push their enumerators to a point where, frankly, we've compromised the data itself."
Any errors in the national head count could skew how much of an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal funding each community gets for Medicare, Medicaid and other public services, distribution that is based partly on census data.
They could also affect the distribution of political power over the next 10 years.
In response to the leaked documents about the million or so potentially flawed records publicly known at the time, the bureau released a statement on Wednesday emphasizing that the irregularities "affect less than seven-tenths of one percent of records."
But relatively small differences between state population counts can have a big impact on how representation in Congress is divided up.
After the 2010 census, North Carolina lost the last House seat to Minnesota because of a difference of fewer than 15,800 people. And after the count in 2000, Utah lost to North Carolina because its tally of residents came in shorter by 856.


npr--2020-12-05--Massive Fire Tears Through Historic Church Home To 'New York's Liberty Bell'

Massive Fire Tears Through Historic Church Home To 'New York 's Liberty Bell' A massive fire gutted a historic church in Manhattan that is home to `` New York 's Liberty Bell , '' which rang out to mark the birth of the U.S. in 1776 .
The blaze broke out in an adjacent building just before 5 a.m. Saturday morning , the New York City Fire Department says , before spreading to the Middle Collegiate Church .
Video and photos from the scene show fire consuming the church with flames shooting through its windows and roof .
The FDNY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat what grew into a 6-alarm fire that consumed the two buildings .
WABC-7 in New York reports that damage from the fire spread to a third building , but that occupants were able to evacuate .
FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens said there were four minor injuries to fire personnel and that the cause was under investigation .
A statement posted to church 's website said there had been no loss of life , but that congregation was devastated by the damage .
`` We are devastated and crushed that our beloved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned .
And yet no fire can stop Revolutionary Love , '' wrote the Rev .
Jacqueline J. Lewis , the church 's senior minister in charge .
The statement also said churchgoers would meet digitally for services on Sunday , as they have since social distancing was put in place in March .
The church congregation 's history goes back nearly 400 years .
Its first building was built in 1729 , and the church moved to its current East Village location in 1892 .
The church housed several Tiffany stained-glass windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently lost in the fire .
`` Unfortunately , it seems like it was pretty bad — the sanctuary is not in good shape and we have some beautiful Tiffany stain glass windows that are gone , '' Middle Collegiate Church Minister Amanda Ashcraft told WABC-7 .
The church 's tower also housed New York 's Liberty Bell , which rang out for the inauguration and death of every U.S. president , as well as for Sept. 11 remembrances and other occasions .
The bell was cast in 1729 , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear as of Saturday evening .
In a tweet , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the Middle Collegiate Church an `` icon of the East Village . ''
`` I ca n't count the number of times I walked past it and took in its humble beauty , '' de Blasio tweeted .

Massive Fire Tears Through Historic Church Home To 'New York's Liberty Bell'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yuki Iwamura/AP Yuki Iwamura/AP
A massive fire gutted a historic church in Manhattan that is home to "New York's Liberty Bell," which rang out to mark the birth of the U.S. in 1776.
The blaze broke out in an adjacent building just before 5 a.m. Saturday morning, the New York City Fire Department says, before spreading to the Middle Collegiate Church.
Video and photos from the scene show fire consuming the church with flames shooting through its windows and roof. The FDNY says firefighters arrived in three minutes to combat what grew into a six-alarm fire that consumed the two buildings.
WABC-7 in New York reports that damage from the fire spread to a third building, but that occupants were able to evacuate.
FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens said there were four minor injuries to fire personnel and that the cause was under investigation.
A statement posted to church's website said there had been no loss of life, but that congregation was devastated by the damage.
"We are devastated and crushed that our beloved physical sanctuary at Middle Collegiate Church has burned. And yet no fire can stop Revolutionary Love," wrote the Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, the church's senior minister in charge.
The statement also said churchgoers would meet digitally for services on Sunday, as they have since social distancing was put in place in March.
The church congregation's history goes back nearly 400 years. Its first building was built in 1729, and the church moved to its current East Village location in 1892.
The church housed several Tiffany stained-glass windows and a skylight dome. Those were apparently lost in the fire.
"Unfortunately, it seems like it was pretty bad — the sanctuary is not in good shape and we have some beautiful Tiffany stain glass windows that are gone," Middle Collegiate Church Minister Amanda Ashcraft told WABC-7.
The church's tower also housed New York's Liberty Bell, which rang out for the inauguration and death of every U.S. president, as well as for Sept. 11 remembrances and other occasions. The bell was cast in 1729, according to The New York Times. Its condition was unclear as of Saturday evening.
In a tweet, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the Middle Collegiate Church an "icon of the East Village."
"I can't count the number of times I walked past it and took in its humble beauty," de Blasio tweeted.


npr--2020-12-05--Trump's Legal Losses Come Fast And Furious

Friday was a disastrous day for the Trump campaign , which has repeatedly tried and failed to overturn the presidential election results in key states .
Within a span of hours , the legal teams of Trump and allied Republicans lost challenges in courts in six states .
With each defeat , Trump 's options for challenging last month 's election continued to dwindle .
Sensing that the courts are a lost cause , Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told Fox News the campaign is now focused on sidestepping the courts and making their case directly to state lawmakers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing and I wanted to go around them so the facts could get out , '' Giuliani told Sean Hannity on Friday night .
`` The simple fact is , we do n't need courts .
The United States Constitution gives sole power to the state legislature to decide presidential elections . ''
Indeed , The Washington Post reports that on Saturday morning , Trump called Georgia Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp to urge him to call a special legislative session to override the election results in that state and appoint electors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to do so .
Though the judicial opinions were roundly critical of Republicans ' ongoing attempts to overturn the election results , an opinion by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn stands out for its gobsmacked incredulity .
In a concurring opinion joined by three other justices , Hagedorn was aghast at the proposed remedy sought by the conservative Wisconsin Voters Alliance : invalidating the entire presidential election in Wisconsin , and installing new electors chosen by the legislature .
Such a move would n't just be `` unprecedented in American history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also undermine voters ' faith in the American system of free and fair elections .
`` Judicial acquiescence to such entreaties built on so flimsy a foundation would do indelible damage to every future election , '' he wrote .
`` Once the door is opened to judicial invalidation of presidential election results , it will be awfully hard to close that door again .
This is a dangerous path we are being asked to tread .
The loss of public trust in our constitutional order resulting from the exercise of this kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do not mean to suggest this court should look the other way no matter what , '' Hagedorn added .
But the Republicans bringing the suit came `` nowhere close '' to offering any evidence that would warrant such a result , he said .
`` While the rough and tumble world of electoral politics may be the prism through which many view this litigation , it can not be so for us .
In these hallowed halls , the law must rule . ''
But three justices dissented .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections not only be fair , but that the public also perceives voting as having been fairly conducted , '' wrote Chief Justice Patience Roggensack .
`` This is the third time that a majority of this court has turned its back on pleas from the public to address a matter of statewide concern that requires a declaration of what the statutes require for absentee voting . ''
In Arizona , the state Republican Party alleged that its observers were n't granted sufficient access on election night , and that election officials over-counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match the ones on file .
But Judge Randall Warner found that there was insufficient evidence of fraud , illegal votes , or an erroneous vote count .
Although there were some mistakes , `` there is no evidence that the inaccuracies were intentional or part of a fraudulent scheme , '' Warner wrote .
Nor did such mistakes come close to impacting the election outcome , he said .
Kelli Ward , the chair of the state GOP , said she would appeal .
In Nevada , would-be Republican electors had alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improperly cast provisional ballots , mismatched signatures , and improperly cast votes from deceased voters .
The Republicans had sought to have the courts either declare Trump the winner in Nevada , or nullify the entire contest and have no electors from the state .
Judge James Russell rejected each allegation of fraud .
The Republicans `` did not prove under any standard of proof that illegal votes were cast and counted , or legal votes were not counted at all , due to voter fraud , '' Russell wrote .
In Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign 's attempt to block the state 's certification of the voting results .
The campaign had been challenging the handling of absentee ballots in Detroit , among other issues .
But in a 2-1 order , Judge Stephen Borrello said the challenge was moot .
`` Michigan 's election results have been certified , '' Borrello wrote .
After results are certified , a candidate 's only recourse is a recount , which the campaign did n't seek within the allotted time .
Judge Patrick Meter dissented , saying the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't yet been seated and the Electoral College has n't been assembled .
In Minnesota , the state 's Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by some state Republicans to stop the vote certification and to seek a statewide recount .
The petition was filed late , and the remedy sought was untenable , Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea wrote , as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune .
A full recount `` would impose unacceptable burdens on voters and election officials alike , '' she wrote , adding that it would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the election , potentially leaving Minnesotans without adequate elected representation . ''
In late November , a group of Republican electors sued Georgia 's governor , alleging statistical anomalies in the vote count and vulnerabilities in the Dominion voting machines used in the state .
The machines were scheduled to be recalibrated for upcoming runoff elections , but the electors asked a judge to block three counties from altering any information stored in any of the voting machines .
A lower court judge agreed to temporarily block the counties from making any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the judge did n't also agree to hand over the machines to the electors so they could inspect them , the electors appealed .
`` If the machines were not tampered with , Appellees have nothing to fear from such an examination , '' they wrote in their brief .
But on Friday a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit said it did n't have jurisdiction to review the lower court 's order .
Proceedings will continue in the lower court .
Separately Friday , the Trump campaign and Georgia Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to invalidate the election results statewide , alleging fraud .
The court has not yet ruled on that request .
Biden won the election in Georgia by a count of 49.5 % to Trump 's 49.3 % .
And on Saturday , a federal appeals court dismissed a suit brought by conservative attorney L. Lin Wood , who was trying to block Biden 's victory in the state .
The 11th Circuit ruled that Wood had no standing to sue .
`` We may not entertain post-election contests about garden-variety issues of vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed in state courts , '' wrote Chief Judge William Pryor for the three-judge panel .

Trump's Legal Losses Come Fast And Furious
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Friday was a disastrous day for the Trump campaign, which has repeatedly tried and failed to overturn the presidential election results in key states. Within a span of hours, the legal teams of Trump and allied Republicans lost challenges in courts in six states.
With each defeat, Trump's options for challenging last month's election results continued to dwindle. Sensing that the courts are a lost cause, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that the campaign is now focused on sidestepping the courts and making its case directly to state lawmakers.
"I saw what the courts were doing, and I wanted to go around them so the facts could get out," Giuliani told Sean Hannity on Friday night. "The simple fact is, we don't need courts. The United States Constitution gives sole power to the state legislature to decide presidential elections."
Indeed, The Washington Post reports that on Saturday morning, Trump called Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to urge him to call a special legislative session to override the election results in that state and appoint electors who would vote for Trump. Kemp reportedly declined to do so.
Wisconsin
Though the judicial opinions were roundly critical of Republicans' attempts to overturn the election results, an opinion by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn stands out for its gobsmacked incredulity.
In a concurring opinion joined by three other justices, Hagedorn was aghast at the proposed remedy sought by the conservative Wisconsin Voters Alliance: invalidating the entire presidential election in Wisconsin and installing new electors chosen by the legislature.
Such a move wouldn't just be "unprecedented in American history," Hagedorn wrote, but would also undermine voters' faith in the American system of free and fair elections.
"Judicial acquiescence to such entreaties built on so flimsy a foundation would do indelible damage to every future election," he wrote. "Once the door is opened to judicial invalidation of presidential election results, it will be awfully hard to close that door again. This is a dangerous path we are being asked to tread. The loss of public trust in our constitutional order resulting from the exercise of this kind of judicial power would be incalculable.
"I do not mean to suggest this court should look the other way no matter what," Hagedorn added. But the Republicans bringing the suit came "nowhere close" to offering any evidence that would warrant such a result, he said. "While the rough and tumble world of electoral politics may be the prism through which many view this litigation, it cannot be so for us. In these hallowed halls, the law must rule."
But three justices dissented. "It is critical that voting in Wisconsin elections not only be fair, but that the public also perceives voting as having been fairly conducted," wrote Chief Justice Patience Roggensack. "This is the third time that a majority of this court has turned its back on pleas from the public to address a matter of statewide concern that requires a declaration of what the statutes require for absentee voting."
Arizona
In Arizona, the state Republican Party alleged that its observers weren't granted sufficient access on election night and that election officials overcounted mail-in ballots with signatures that didn't match the ones on file.
But Judge Randall Warner found that there was insufficient evidence of fraud, illegal votes or an erroneous vote count. Although there were some mistakes, "there is no evidence that the inaccuracies were intentional or part of a fraudulent scheme," Warner wrote. Nor did such mistakes come close to impacting the election outcome, he said.
Kelli Ward, the chair of the state GOP, said she would appeal.
Nevada
In Nevada, would-be Republican electors had alleged multiple claims of voter fraud, including improperly cast provisional ballots, mismatched signatures and improperly cast votes from deceased voters. The Republicans had sought to have the courts either declare Trump the winner in Nevada or nullify the entire contest and have no electors from the state.
Judge James Russell rejected each allegation of fraud. The Republicans "did not prove under any standard of proof that illegal votes were cast and counted, or legal votes were not counted at all, due to voter fraud," Russell wrote.
Nevada Republicans plan to appeal.
Michigan
In Michigan, a state appeals court dismissed the Trump campaign's attempt to block the state's certification of voting results. The campaign had been challenging the handling of absentee ballots in Detroit, among other issues. But in a 2-1 order, Judge Stephen Borrello said the challenge was moot.
"Michigan's election results have been certified," Borrello wrote. After results are certified, a candidate's only recourse is a recount, which the campaign didn't seek within the allotted time. Judge Patrick Meter dissented, saying the issues weren't moot because state electors haven't yet been seated and the Electoral College hasn't been assembled.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, the state's Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by some state Republicans to stop the vote certification and seek a statewide recount. The petition was filed late, and the remedy sought was untenable, Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea wrote, as reported by Minnesota's Star Tribune.
A full recount "would impose unacceptable burdens on voters and election officials alike," she wrote, adding that it would also "cast an unacceptable degree of uncertainty over the election, potentially leaving Minnesotans without adequate elected representation."
Georgia
In late November, a group of Republican electors sued Georgia's governor, alleging statistical anomalies in the vote count and vulnerabilities in the Dominion voting machines used in the state. The machines were scheduled to be recalibrated for upcoming runoff elections, but the electors asked a judge to block three counties from altering any information stored in any of the voting machines.
A lower court judge agreed to temporarily block the counties from making any changes to the machines. But because the judge didn't also agree to hand over the machines to the electors so they could inspect them, the electors appealed. "If the machines were not tampered with, Appellees have nothing to fear from such an examination," they wrote in their brief.
But on Friday, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it didn't have jurisdiction to review the lower court's order. Proceedings will continue in the lower court.
Separately Friday, the Trump campaign and Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer asked a state court to invalidate the election results statewide, alleging fraud. The court has not yet ruled on that request. Joe Biden won the election in Georgia by a count of 49.5% to Trump's 49.3%.
And on Saturday, a federal appeals court dismissed a suit brought by conservative attorney L. Lin Wood, who was trying to block Biden's victory in the state. The 11th Circuit ruled that Wood had no standing to sue.
"We may not entertain post-election contests about garden-variety issues of vote counting and misconduct that may properly be filed in state courts," wrote Chief Judge William Pryor for the three-judge panel.


npr--2020-12-05--Photos Capture World's Largest Iceberg As It Heads Toward South Atlantic Island

Photos Capture World 's Largest Iceberg As It Heads Toward South Atlantic Island Britain 's Royal Air Force has obtained images of what is considered the largest iceberg as it veers toward the island territory of South Georgia .
Pictures of A68a were released Friday following a reconnaissance flight of the iceberg .
At roughly 93 miles long and 30 miles wide , the floe is believed to be the world 's largest .
The pictures taken by British military aircraft , offering some of the closest views of the iceberg thus far , show cracks and apparently smaller chunks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post , British officials note that because of the iceberg 's massive size , it 's nearly impossible to photograph it in full with the exception of satellite imagery .
The chunk of ice cleaved off the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica in 2017 at a reported size of roughly 2,300 square miles .
Researchers have noted for some weeks now that A68a has been on a collision with the island of South Georgia .
The iceberg is roughly 130 miles off the island 's coast and could run aground in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday that it 's keeping a close eye on the iceberg 's trajectory .
Last month , the British Antarctic Survey raised the alarm on the damage the iceberg could potentially cause to wildlife if it became grounded near the island .
`` Ecosystems can and will bounce back of course , but there 's a danger here that if this iceberg gets stuck , it could be there for 10 years .
An iceberg has massive implications for where land-based predators might be able to forage , '' said Geraint Tarling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
The survey notes that a large numbers of seals , whales and penguins feed off the coast of the southern Atlantic island .
Since 2017 , the European Space Agency says , A68a has floated thousands of miles across the Southern Hemisphere .

Photos Capture World's Largest Iceberg As It Heads Toward South Atlantic Island
Enlarge this image toggle caption British Royal Air Force British Royal Air Force
Britain's Royal Air Force has obtained images of what is considered the largest iceberg as it veers toward the island territory of South Georgia.
Pictures of A68a were released Friday following a reconnaissance flight of the iceberg. At roughly 93 miles long and 30 miles wide, the floe is believed to be the world's largest.
The pictures taken by British military aircraft, offering some of the closest views of the iceberg thus far, show cracks and apparently smaller chunks of ice breaking off.
In a Facebook post, British officials note that because of the iceberg's massive size, it's nearly impossible to photograph it in full with the exception of satellite imagery.
The chunk of ice cleaved off the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica in 2017 at a reported size of roughly 2,300 square miles. Researchers have noted for some weeks now that A68a has been on a collision with the island of South Georgia.
The iceberg is roughly 130 miles off the island's coast and could run aground in shallow coastal waters.
The government there said Saturday that it's keeping a close eye on the iceberg's trajectory.
Last month, the British Antarctic Survey raised the alarm on the damage the iceberg could potentially cause to wildlife if it became grounded near the island.
"Ecosystems can and will bounce back of course, but there's a danger here that if this iceberg gets stuck, it could be there for 10 years. An iceberg has massive implications for where land-based predators might be able to forage," said Geraint Tarling, an ecologist with the organization in November.
The survey notes that a large numbers of seals, whales and penguins feed off the coast of the southern Atlantic island.
Since 2017, the European Space Agency says, A68a has floated thousands of miles across the Southern Hemisphere.


npr--2020-12-05--Trump Orders The Withdrawal Of Most U.S. Forces From Somalia

Trump Orders The Withdrawal Of Most U.S .
Forces From Somalia The Trump administration is planning to draw down U.S. troops in Somalia by early 2021 .
In a statement released Friday , the Pentagon explained that `` the majority '' of the roughly 700 soldiers currently stationed in the country will be reassigned to positions in neighboring countries in East Africa .
`` While a change in force posture , this action is not a change in U.S. policy , '' said the Department of Defense , which noted that President Trump had personally ordered the withdrawal .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition . ''
The announcement represents just the latest upheaval at the Pentagon , where President Trump has ordered a raft of changes since his loss in the presidential election last month .
Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and replaced him with Christopher Miller , the director of the National Counterterrorism Center , in mid-November , and just a week later , the Pentagon announced a reduction in forces in both Afghanistan in Iraq .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops stationed in Somalia .
Those forces have been supporting the country 's counterterrorism operations against al-Shabab , an al-Qaida-linked Islamist militant group , in a training mission that had been expected to continue for years .
But the majority of U.S. personnel in the country is now expected to leave before the incoming Biden administration takes office on January 20 .
The sudden shift comes just a week after Miller stopped in Somalia for a Thanksgiving visit with troops there .
It also comes less than two weeks after the release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , which quoted U.S. Africa Command as saying that al-Shabab `` remains adaptive , resilient , and capable of attacking Western and partner interests in Somalia and East Africa . ''
The announcement has left some U.S. partners in the country worried about what is to come in Somalia , where parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for this month and February , respectively .
One Somali senator called the Trump administration decision `` untimely . ''
`` The fight against global terrorism is still ongoing and we must still win this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ayub Ismail Yusuf tweeted after the announcement of the drawdown .
`` We must not give up on our successes . ''

Trump Orders The Withdrawal Of Most U.S. Forces From Somalia
Enlarge this image toggle caption Staff Sgt. Shawn White/Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa via AP Staff Sgt. Shawn White/Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa via AP
The Trump administration is planning to draw down U.S. troops in Somalia by early 2021. In a statement released Friday, the Pentagon explained that "the majority" of the roughly 700 soldiers currently stationed in the country will be reassigned to positions in neighboring countries in East Africa.
"While a change in force posture, this action is not a change in U.S. policy," said the Department of Defense, which noted that President Trump had personally ordered the withdrawal. "We will continue to degrade violent extremist organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition."
The announcement represents just the latest upheaval at the Pentagon, where President Trump has ordered a raft of changes since his loss in the presidential election last month. Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and replaced him with Christopher Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, in mid-November, and just a week later, the Pentagon announced a reduction in forces in both Afghanistan in Iraq.
Now significant change is in store soon for troops stationed in Somalia. Those forces have been supporting the country's counterterrorism operations against al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked Islamist militant group, in a training mission that had been expected to continue for years. But the majority of U.S. personnel in the country is now expected to leave before the incoming Biden administration takes office on January 20.
The sudden shift comes just a week after Miller stopped in Somalia for a Thanksgiving visit with troops there. It also comes less than two weeks after the release of a report by the Pentagon's inspector general, which quoted U.S. Africa Command as saying that al-Shabab "remains adaptive, resilient, and capable of attacking Western and partner interests in Somalia and East Africa."
The announcement has left some U.S. partners in the country worried about what is to come in Somalia, where parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for this month and February, respectively. One Somali senator called the Trump administration decision "untimely."
"The fight against global terrorism is still ongoing and we must still win this battle for peace and security to prevail," Ayub Ismail Yusuf tweeted after the announcement of the drawdown. "We must not give up on our successes."


npr--2020-12-05--Japanese Capsule Containing Bits Of An Asteroid Returns To Earth

Japanese Capsule Containing Bits Of An Asteroid Returns To Earth A Japanese space capsule ferrying sample material from an asteroid — the bounty from a six-year mission spanning billions of miles — made its triumphant return to Earth this weekend .
The small capsule that had detached from the Hayabusa2 space probe landed in the vicinity of the town of Woomera , in the Australian Outback , early Sunday Japan time .
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , or JAXA , which spearheaded the mission , said a helicopter found the capsule in the planned landing area .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parachute !
Wow !
`` JAXA tweeted just after 3 p.m .
ET .
Inside the capsule is just a little bit of dust and dirt with potentially grand ramifications .
It comes from Ryugu , a jet black asteroid roughly one mile wide , which orbits the sun between Earth and Mars , roughly 180 million miles from our planet .
Researchers expect the sample to contain organic matter similar to the early space rocks that combined to make planets , which , with careful study , may offer a glimpse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into what it is today .
In other words , JAXA explains , scientists hope that by examining the sample , they may `` approach the secrets of the birth of the solar system and the birth of life . ''
Scientists have studied the composition of asteroids before .
But usually the material they 're looking at has been radically changed by its arrival on Earth , after the rocks are burned up by atmospheric entry and tainted by other matter it touches after landing .
This sample , taken directly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , should offer scientists a more accurate view of the organic matter in its natural state .
Still , it has been no easy feat to return the sample to Earth , and certainly not to obtain it in the first place .
After its launch in late 2014 , JAXA 's Hayabusa2 spacecraft spent 3 1/2 years getting into position by orbiting the sun .
After its arrival at Ryugu in 2018 , the craft first sent a lander to the surface before making two trips of its own to collect material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's surface in 2019 , Hayabusa2 prepared a crater for itself with plastic explosives .
On its return trip , the capsule containing the sample separated from Hayabusa2 more than 130,000 miles from Earth — a distance that would get you more than halfway from your home to the moon .
JAXA took little chance in recovering the 16-inch diameter capsule .
The search operations involved at least five antennas , a helicopter and the support of the Australian space agency and military .
The specimens , which are estimated to weigh 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first subsurface asteroid sample .
Scientists hope the primordial materials will help further research into the origin of life on Earth and the evolution of the solar system .
Masaki Fujimoto , deputy director-general of JAXA 's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science , told reporters on Friday local time that researchers will move quickly to get the capsule , once located , over to an Australian Department of Defense facility for inspection .
`` We do n't want to miss anything , '' he said at a briefing , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so as soon as the capsule is back to the headquarter building we can extract the gas sample so the best science can be obtained from the precious sample we are returning from asteroid Ryugu . ''
This will not be the end of the line for Hayabusa2 , however .
The spacecraft will not follow the capsule back to Earth but rather continue on to another asteroid traveling between Earth and Mars , which it is expected to reach by 2031 .

Japanese Capsule Containing Bits Of An Asteroid Returns To Earth
Enlarge this image toggle caption ISAS/JAXA via AP ISAS/JAXA via AP
Updated at 5:05 p.m. ET
A Japanese space capsule ferrying sample material from an asteroid — the bounty from a six-year mission spanning billions of miles — made its triumphant return to Earth this weekend.
The small capsule that had detached from the Hayabusa2 space probe landed in the vicinity of the town of Woomera, in the Australian Outback, early Sunday Japan time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which spearheaded the mission, said a helicopter found the capsule in the planned landing area.
"We found the capsule! Together with the parachute! Wow! " JAXA tweeted just after 3 p.m. ET.
Inside the capsule is just a little bit of dust and dirt with potentially grand ramifications. It comes from Ryugu, a jet black asteroid roughly one mile wide, which orbits the sun between Earth and Mars, roughly 180 million miles from our planet.
Researchers expect the sample to contain organic matter similar to the early space rocks that combined to make planets, which, with careful study, may offer a glimpse of the mysterious processes that turned the universe into what it is today. In other words, JAXA explains, scientists hope that by examining the sample, they may "approach the secrets of the birth of the solar system and the birth of life."
Scientists have studied the composition of asteroids before. But usually the material they're looking at has been radically changed by its arrival on Earth, after the rocks are burned up by atmospheric entry and tainted by other matter it touches after landing. This sample, taken directly from the asteroid and protected by the capsule, should offer scientists a more accurate view of the organic matter in its natural state.
Enlarge this image toggle caption JAXA via AP JAXA via AP
Still, it has been no easy feat to return the sample to Earth, and certainly not to obtain it in the first place.
After its launch in late 2014, JAXA's Hayabusa2 spacecraft spent 3 1/2 years getting into position by orbiting the sun. After its arrival at Ryugu in 2018, the craft first sent a lander to the surface before making two trips of its own to collect material. Before its second visit to Ryugu's surface in 2019, Hayabusa2 prepared a crater for itself with plastic explosives.
On its return trip, the capsule containing the sample separated from Hayabusa2 more than 130,000 miles from Earth — a distance that would get you more than halfway from your home to the moon.
JAXA took little chance in recovering the 16-inch diameter capsule. The search operations involved at least five antennas, a helicopter and the support of the Australian space agency and military.
The specimens, which are estimated to weigh 1 gram in total, include the world's first subsurface asteroid sample. Scientists hope the primordial materials will help further research into the origin of life on Earth and the evolution of the solar system.
Masaki Fujimoto, deputy director-general of JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, told reporters on Friday local time that researchers will move quickly to get the capsule, once located, over to an Australian Department of Defense facility for inspection.
"We don't want to miss anything," he said at a briefing, according to a translation by Japanese media, "so as soon as the capsule is back to the headquarter building we can extract the gas sample so the best science can be obtained from the precious sample we are returning from asteroid Ryugu."
This will not be the end of the line for Hayabusa2, however. The spacecraft will not follow the capsule back to Earth but rather continue on to another asteroid traveling between Earth and Mars, which it is expected to reach by 2031.


npr--2020-12-05--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak On Sept. 28 , the world marked a tragic milestone : 1 million deaths from COVID-19 .
That 's according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
And public health experts believe the actual toll – the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths – is much higher .
While the number of cases has slowed in many countries that were hit hard early on by coronavirus , the number of new cases continues to increase .
Since early July , new daily cases averaged over 200,000 worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January .
At over 13 million cases , the United States leads the world 's COVID-19 crisis .
In late spring and early summer , new COVID-19 cases were largely driven by cases in the Americas .
While the U.S. has consistently had the most new daily cases of coronavirus in the region , Brazil 's new daily cases increased rapidly between May and August .
However , in September , several countries that had previously flattened their curve saw a resurgence in cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily case counts have risen swiftly since June , without signs of slowing down .
Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time .
The first chart compares each continent to each other , while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region .
To compare country outbreaks , the chart below graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each country 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In countries like Israel , which is seeing a second wave of case growth after an initial wave in April , the line forms a V-shape , as the initially bent curve spikes upwards again .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on @ @ @ @ @

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


npr--2020-12-06--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak On Sept. 28 , the world marked a tragic milestone : 1 million deaths from COVID-19 .
That 's according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
And public health experts believe the actual toll – the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths – is much higher .
While the number of cases has slowed in many countries that were hit hard early on by coronavirus , the number of new cases continues to increase .
Since early July , new daily cases averaged over 200,000 worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January .
At over 14 million cases , the United States leads the world 's COVID-19 crisis .
In late spring and early summer , new COVID-19 cases were largely driven by cases in the Americas .
While the U.S. has consistently had the most new daily cases of coronavirus in the region , Brazil 's new daily cases increased rapidly between May and August .
However , in September , several countries that had previously flattened their curve saw a resurgence in cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily case counts have risen swiftly since June .
Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time .
The first chart compares each continent to each other , while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region .
To compare country outbreaks , the chart below graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each country 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's daily growth or decline relative to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In countries like Israel , which is seeing a second wave of case growth after an initial wave in April , the line forms a V-shape , as the initially bent curve spikes upwards again .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .


npr--2020-12-06--Coronavirus Is Surging: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Is Surging : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 14 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 280,000 have died of COVID-19 .
Tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily nationwide .
In the graphics below , explore the trends in your state .
View the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , curve charts , a table of state-by-state trends over four weeks , or a map of total cases and deaths .
The map above shows the risk of infection in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capita .
The consortium of researchers and public health experts who developed these risk levels advises states in the red category to issue stay-home orders .
They advise orange states to consider stay-home orders , along with increased testing and contact tracing .
Yellow states need to keep up social distancing and mask usage , and all states should continue testing and contact tracing .
To compare state outbreaks , the chart above graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each state 's totals to date .
This type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth or decline relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In New York , the curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
New cases fell from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 900 a day most of the summer , before starting to rise in the fall .
Explore the map above to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country for both new confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID-19 .
New York was the original epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. As of mid October , California , Florida and Texas surpass New York for total cases to date , though New York still has the highest death total .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
To show trends , the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state , week over week for the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of red have growing outbreaks ; those in shades of green , are declining .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases and or update their methodologies .
For example , in early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
On Sept. 2 , Massachusetts changed its methodology for counting probable cases , which lowered its overall case and death numbers .
The JHU team maintains a list of such changes .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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


npr--2020-12-06--Tipped Service Workers Are More Vulnerable Amid Pandemic Harassment Spike: Study

In the best of times , service industry workers are typically paid below the minimum wage and rely on tips to make up the difference .
Now , those still working in an industry battered by the coronavirus pandemic are on the front lines , enforcing COVID-19 safety measures at the expense of both tip earnings and avoiding harassment .
A new report from One Fair Wage finds that more than 80 % of workers are seeing a decline in tips and over 40 % say they 're facing an increase in sexual harassment from customers .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly is , '' Saru Jayaraman , president of One Fair Wage , said in an interview with Weekend Edition .
`` But I think the most horrific thing , that honestly all of us who are involved in the study were all blown away by , was the huge increase in hostility and sexual harassment . ''
The group surveyed roughly 1,600 restaurant workers in five states ( New York , Massachusetts , New Jersey , Illinois , Pennsylvania ) and Washington , D.C. Nearly 60 % of those workers were reluctant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with customers from whom they would receive tips .
The title of the report , `` Take off your mask so I know how much to tip you , '' is a reference to one of several disturbing comments women workers say they 've been hearing from patrons .
`` Women across the country who work in restaurants are being asked to remove their masks so that male customers can judge their looks and therefore their tips on that basis , '' Jayaraman said .
Those surveyed also expressed concerns about proper health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention , are environments that are conducive to a high risk of spreading the coronavirus .
A September report from the CDC found that adults who had contracted from COVID-19 were twice as likely than virus-free adults to have recently dined at a restaurant .
Women and transgender workers tend to bear the brunt of the harassment experienced in the restaurant industry .
`` Every single day , these women are putting their lives on the line trying to serve customers , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution is clear cut : pay service workers fair wages .
`` When you get a full wage from your boss , you do n't have to put up with everything from the customers , '' she said .
Seven states have eliminated the federal subminimum wage , which allows employers to pay tipped workers as little as $ 2.13 per hour .
Workers in those states report one-half the rate of sexual harassment compared to workers in states with the subminimum wage , according to One Fair Wage .
In what Jayaraman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phenomenon 's underlying power imbalance is no different than sexual harassment , she said , when workers are reliant on the customer 's tips .
Demanding a service worker to take their mask off , she argued , is asking them to `` subject herself to the virus and the possibility of death — for the sexual pleasure of customers , all because she does n't get paid a minimum wage . ''
In response to the One Fair Wage report findings , the National Restaurant Association told NPR in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to confront that challenge through workplace training programs .
`` It does not matter if the harasser is a customer , a colleague or a manager , it will not be tolerated in our industry , '' the statement read .
The association also said it 's `` open to the conversation about wage levels in the industry and the impact any change would have on the economic recovery of both workers and restaurant operators . ''
NPR 's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and D. Parvaz produced and edited the audio version of @ @ @

Tipped Service Workers Are More Vulnerable Amid Pandemic Harassment Spike: Study
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bebeto Matthews/AP Bebeto Matthews/AP
In the best of times, service industry workers are typically paid below the minimum wage and rely on tips to make up the difference. Now, those still working in an industry battered by the coronavirus pandemic are on the front lines, enforcing COVID-19 safety measures at the expense of both tip earnings and avoiding harassment.
A new report from One Fair Wage finds that more than 80% of workers are seeing a decline in tips and over 40% say they're facing an increase in sexual harassment from customers.
"We were really shocked with how horrific the situation truly is," Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, said in an interview with Weekend Edition. "But I think the most horrific thing, that honestly all of us who are involved in the study were all blown away by, was the huge increase in hostility and sexual harassment."
The group surveyed roughly 1,600 restaurant workers in five states (New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania) and Washington, D.C.
Nearly 60% of those workers were reluctant about enforcing social distancing and mask use with customers from whom they would receive tips.
The title of the report, "Take Off Your Mask So I Know How Much to Tip You," is a reference to one of several disturbing comments women workers say they've been hearing from patrons.
"Women across the country who work in restaurants are being asked to remove their masks so that male customers can judge their looks and therefore their tips on that basis," Jayaraman said.
Those surveyed also expressed concerns about proper health protocols at their places of work, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are environments that are conducive to a high risk of spreading the coronavirus. A September report from the CDC found that adults who had contracted COVID-19 were twice as likely as virus-free adults to have recently dined at a restaurant.
Women and transgender workers tend to bear the brunt of the harassment experienced in the restaurant industry.
"Every single day, these women are putting their lives on the line trying to serve customers," Jayaraman said.
To her, the solution is clear cut: Pay service workers fair wages.
"When you get a full wage from your boss, you don't have to put up with everything from the customers," she said.
Seven states have eliminated the federal subminimum wage, which allows employers to pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 per hour. Workers in those states report one-half the rate of sexual harassment as do workers in states with the subminimum wage, according to One Fair Wage.
In what Jayaraman terms "maskual harassment," the phenomenon's underlying power imbalance is no different from sexual harassment, she said, when workers are reliant on customers' tips.
Demanding a service worker to take her mask off, she argued, is asking her to "subject herself to the virus and the possibility of death — for the sexual pleasure of customers, all because she doesn't get paid a minimum wage."
In response to the One Fair Wage report findings, the National Restaurant Association told NPR in a statement that it condemns sexual harassment and continues to work to confront that challenge through workplace training programs.
"It does not matter if the harasser is a customer, a colleague or a manager, it will not be tolerated in our industry," the statement read.
The association also said it's "open to the conversation about wage levels in the industry and the impact any change would have on the economic recovery of both workers and restaurant operators."
NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and D. Parvaz produced and edited the audio version of this story.