npr--2020-12-08--Top Cyber Firm, FireEye, Says It's Been Hacked By A Foreign Govt.

Top Cyber Firm , FireEye , Says It 's Been Hacked By A Foreign Govt .
When governments or companies around the world get hacked , the cyber-security firm FireEye often gets called to come in and investigate .
But the California-based company said Tuesday that its own cyber defenses suffered a major breach by what it believes was a `` state-sponsored attack . ''
FireEye did n't name a country , but some media reports said suspicion immediately fell on Russia and its intelligence services .
`` Based on my 25 years in cyber security and responding to incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack by a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities , '' Kevin Mandia , the company 's chief executive , said in a statement .
`` The attackers tailored their world-class capabilities specifically to target and attack FireEye , '' he added .
`` They used a novel combination of techniques not witnessed by us or our partners in the past . ''
The U.S. intelligence community and private cyber security firms said stepped up efforts protected last month 's U.S. elections from any significant foreign interference .
Some government officials and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have deterred Russia from attempting the kind of large-scale effort it carried out in 2016 election .
But they also warned that Russia and others were no doubt probing for other valuable targets during the election season .
`` The hack of a premier cybersecurity firm demonstrates that even the most sophisticated companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks , '' said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia , the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee .
`` I applaud FireEye for quickly going public with this news . ''
FireEye did not say when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged that the intruders stole some of the companies so-called Red Team tools , which it uses to test for vulnerabilities in the computer networks of its customers .
`` These tools mimic the behavior of many cyber threat actors and enable FireEye to provide essential diagnostic security services to our customers , '' Mandia wrote .
`` Consistent with our goal to protect the community , we are proactively releasing methods and means to detect the use of our stolen Red Team tools . ''
The company said it has seen no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Tools against other targets .
Still , the theft set off alarm bells about potential attacks that could be looming .
`` As one of the world 's go-to cybersecurity firms , FireEye has a ringside seat for some of the most sophisticated breaches carried out worldwide , '' said Mike Chapple , a former computer scientist at the National Security Agency who now teaches at the University of Notre Dame 's Mendoza College of Business .
He compared the breach to a 2016 theft by a group called the Shadow Brokers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NSA and `` sought to auction them off to the highest bidder .
The subsequent release of code stolen during this breach led to the compromise of hundreds of thousands of computers around the world . ''
FireEye said the cyber thieves `` primarily sought information related to certain government customers . ''
The company did not name them , but it has worked extensively with U.S. government agencies as well as foreign governments .
The company said it was working with the FBI to help determine who was responsible .

Top Cyber Firm, FireEye, Says It's Been Hacked By A Foreign Govt.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
When governments or companies around the world get hacked, the cyber-security firm FireEye often gets called to come in and investigate.
But the California-based company said Tuesday that its own cyber defenses suffered a major breach by what it believes was a "state-sponsored attack."
FireEye didn't name a country, but some media reports said suspicion immediately fell on Russia and its intelligence services.
"Based on my 25 years in cyber security and responding to incidents, I've concluded we are witnessing an attack by a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities," Kevin Mandia, the company's chief executive, said in a statement.
"The attackers tailored their world-class capabilities specifically to target and attack FireEye," he added. "They used a novel combination of techniques not witnessed by us or our partners in the past."
The U.S. intelligence community and private cyber security firms said stepped up efforts protected last month's U.S. elections from any significant foreign interference.
Some government officials and private analysts speculated that the increased vigilance may have deterred Russia from attempting the kind of large-scale effort it carried out in 2016 election. But they also warned that Russia and others were no doubt probing for other valuable targets during the election season.
"The hack of a premier cybersecurity firm demonstrates that even the most sophisticated companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks," said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. "I applaud FireEye for quickly going public with this news."
Valuable tools stolen
FireEye did not say when it uncovered the breach. But it acknowledged that the intruders stole some of the companies so-called Red Team tools, which it uses to test for vulnerabilities in the computer networks of its customers.
"These tools mimic the behavior of many cyber threat actors and enable FireEye to provide essential diagnostic security services to our customers," Mandia wrote. "Consistent with our goal to protect the community, we are proactively releasing methods and means to detect the use of our stolen Red Team tools."
The company said it has seen no evidence that the attacker has used the Red Tools against other targets.
Still, the theft set off alarm bells about potential attacks that could be looming.
"As one of the world's go-to cybersecurity firms, FireEye has a ringside seat for some of the most sophisticated breaches carried out worldwide," said Mike Chapple, a former computer scientist at the National Security Agency who now teaches at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.
He compared the breach to a 2016 theft by a group called the Shadow Brokers, which stole cyber attack tools from the NSA and "sought to auction them off to the highest bidder. The subsequent release of code stolen during this breach led to the compromise of hundreds of thousands of computers around the world."
FireEye said the cyber thieves "primarily sought information related to certain government customers." The company did not name them, but it has worked extensively with U.S. government agencies as well as foreign governments.
The company said it was working with the FBI to help determine who was responsible.


npr--2020-12-08--VOA Director Forced Aside In Drive To Embed Trump Loyalists Before Biden Era

VOA Director Forced Aside In Drive To Embed Trump Loyalists Before Biden Era Updated at 12:08 a.m .
ET on Wednesday The Trump appointee who runs the government 's overseas broadcasters reassigned the head of the Voice of America on Tuesday as part of a broad effort to install supporters of the president before the Biden administration comes to power .
U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack is intending to name as VOA director Robert Reilly , an outspoken conservative ally who briefly served in the job under President George W. Bush nearly two decades ago .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with knowledge of the events described , including current and former USAGM employees and Congressional aides .
They sought anonymity given the number of people that Pack has fired in his relatively short time in office .
USAGM officials including Pack did not respond to a detailed request for comment .
Pack informed acting director Elez Biberaj of his ouster at his routinely scheduled noon meeting .
Biberaj , rather than resigning or retiring , will return to his prior job as head of the Eurasia desk , one of six large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biberaj , a 40-year veteran of the network , was named by Pack over the summer to lead Voice of America on an acting basis , meaning he could be removed at any time .
He has walked a fine line ever since .
While he never publicly condemned Pack , he frequently reasserted the importance of the independence and credibility of the VOA newsroom even as Pack publicly condemned it and initiated a wave of investigations of its journalists for perceived anti-Trump bias .
Late Tuesday , Biberaj sent a note to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successor well , and assailing Pack 's actions — though never by name .
`` The last six months have perhaps been the most challenging period in VOA 's recent history , '' Biberaj wrote , calling USAGM and VOA 's relations `` regrettably adversarial . ''
`` Some agency officials failed to respect rules , protocols and processes that I considered inviolable , and displayed an indifference to the disruptive impact their actions and decisions had on VOA 's operations and mission , '' he added .
`` Attempts to trample VOA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-won credibility at a time of global democratic backsliding and increased international threats to America 's values and moral leadership . ''
Reilly , Biberaj 's apparent replacement , has written in strenuous defense of Pack .
Reilly is a former State Department official and author .
He has written critically of Islam and gay rights , the latter in a 2015 book titled `` Making Gay Okay : How Rationalizing Homosexual Behavior Is Changing Everything . ''
Pack is also said to be weighing the ouster of the acting leaders of VOA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberty and Radio Free Asia .
Pack was first nominated by Trump in 2018 but was not confirmed by the Senate until June .
The two top officials of the VOA at the time immediately resigned .
Pack moved swiftly to fire the remaining chiefs of the networks overseen by the agency and to push out many top executives .
Taken together , VOA and its sister networks reach more than 350 million people overseas , in an effort that both models American notions of free speech and political debate and fills the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that do not have a free or viable press .
Pack 's actions have turned the agency and its networks upside down .
A federal judge recently ruled in a case brought by a top VOA news executive and five suspended executives that Pack had acted unconstitutionally in initiating those investigations .
U.S. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that Pack had violated those journalists ' free speech protections by violating the `` firewall '' protecting the newsroom 's editorial decisions from the parent agency 's interference .
Four contractors lost jobs and an editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biberaj did not take action against the other journalists , despite intense pressure to reassign or fire several staffers .
Foremost among them : White House bureau chief Steve Herman , who displeased Vice President Mike Pence with reports about his violating COVID-19 protocols at the Mayo Clinic last spring .
Soon after Pack arrived at USAGM , he moved to fire most of the top leadership team , including the chief financial officer , the general counsel , and the chief strategic officer .
Due to civil service rules , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead to put them on paid administrative leave , alleging they had committed security breaches that could leave the agency open to foreign espionage .
In August , Pack signed an agreement with McGuireWoods , a law firm based in Richmond , Va. , to `` conduct an internal investigation on behalf of USAGM regarding the complaints of potential misconduct by employees , including but not limited to use of organizational resources , '' according to legal documents reviewed by NPR .
The firm 's lead partner on the case is a prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John D. Adams , a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas .
Pack , a conservative filmmaker , made a documentary focusing on Thomas 's life with the usually recalcitrant justice 's full cooperation .
A spokesman for McGuireWoods confirmed the contract in a statement .
`` The U.S. Agency for Global Media ( `` USAGM '' ) has retained McGuireWoods to conduct an independent review of aspects of a number of government reports issued since 2015 , as well as other issues .
This includes , but is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a June 2015 Office of Inspector General ( OIG ) report relating to the Open Technology Fund ( `` OTF '' ) , and a series of government audits and reports issued over several years relating to the Agency 's personnel security program . ''
A lawyer representing whistleblowers against Pack and the agency railed against the contract .
`` It 's patently absurd to root out abuse of government funds by paying a private law firm hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars , '' said David Seide , an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's a gross misuse of government resources .
That 's what inspector generals are for ! ''
Seide previously worked as an investigative attorney for two federal inspectors general 's offices .
McGuireWoods 's earlier and inconclusive investigation of whether Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam appeared in a racist yearbook photo cost Eastern Virginia Medical School more than $ 360,000 , according to the Virginian-Pilot .
Most of the executives whom Pack sought to fire are currently contesting their suspension and the ultimate goal of their dismissals , which he sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to several people with knowledge .
Pack does not appear to be chastened about the rebuke he received from Judge Howell .
Lee Crain , an attorney representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against Pack , filed a complaint early this month with U.S. Justice Department attorneys who represented Pack and the agency .
Crain wrote that senior aides to Pack had intervened in the planned promotion of two Voice of America journalists to long-term status despite Howell 's banning any such involvement by the agency in VOA 's editorial or personnel decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him they were seeking more information from USAGM 's lawyers .
Pack is himself likely to be dismissed once Joe Biden becomes president , a power the incoming president has thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving Trump the authority to force out the head of other independent agencies .
It may prove trickier for a Biden-appointed USAGM chief executive to name new heads of the networks , however .
Pack 's moves led Congress to draft legislation intended to impede the CEO 's ability to do so without support of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the approval of the U.S. Senate .
Disclosure : This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR Media & Tech Editor Emily Kopp .
Because of NPR CEO John Lansing 's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published .

VOA Director Forced Aside In Drive To Embed Trump Loyalists Before Biden Era
Enlarge this image toggle caption Voice of America Voice of America
Updated at 12:08 a.m. ET on Wednesday
The Trump appointee who runs the government's overseas broadcasters reassigned the head of the Voice of America on Tuesday as part of a broad effort to install supporters of the president before the Biden administration comes to power.
U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack is intending to name as VOA director Robert Reilly, an outspoken conservative ally who briefly served in the job under President George W. Bush nearly two decades ago.
This story is based on interviews with nine people with knowledge of the events described, including current and former USAGM employees and Congressional aides. They sought anonymity given the number of people that Pack has fired in his relatively short time in office. USAGM officials including Pack did not respond to a detailed request for comment.
Pack informed acting director Elez Biberaj of his ouster at his routinely scheduled noon meeting. Biberaj, rather than resigning or retiring, will return to his prior job as head of the Eurasia desk, one of six large regions covered by the global network.
Biberaj, a 40-year veteran of the network, was named by Pack over the summer to lead Voice of America on an acting basis, meaning he could be removed at any time. He has walked a fine line ever since. While he never publicly condemned Pack, he frequently reasserted the importance of the independence and credibility of the VOA newsroom even as Pack publicly condemned it and initiated a wave of investigations of its journalists for perceived anti-Trump bias.
Late Tuesday, Biberaj sent a note to staff confirming the reports, wishing his successor well, and assailing Pack's actions — though never by name. "The last six months have perhaps been the most challenging period in VOA's recent history," Biberaj wrote, calling USAGM and VOA's relations "regrettably adversarial."
"Some agency officials failed to respect rules, protocols and processes that I considered inviolable, and displayed an indifference to the disruptive impact their actions and decisions had on VOA's operations and mission," he added. "Attempts to trample VOA's journalistic independence threatened to undermine our hard-won credibility at a time of global democratic backsliding and increased international threats to America's values and moral leadership."
Reilly, Biberaj's apparent replacement, has written in strenuous defense of Pack. Reilly is a former State Department official and author. He has written critically of Islam and gay rights, the latter in a 2015 book titled "Making Gay Okay: How Rationalizing Homosexual Behavior Is Changing Everything."
Pack is also said to be weighing the ouster of the acting leaders of VOA's sister networks, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia.
Pack was first nominated by Trump in 2018 but was not confirmed by the Senate until June. The two top officials of the VOA at the time immediately resigned. Pack moved swiftly to fire the remaining chiefs of the networks overseen by the agency and to push out many top executives.
Taken together, VOA and its sister networks reach more than 350 million people overseas, in an effort that both models American notions of free speech and political debate and fills the need for independent journalism in those countries that do not have a free or viable press.
Pack's actions have turned the agency and its networks upside down.
A federal judge recently ruled in a case brought by a top VOA news executive and five suspended executives that Pack had acted unconstitutionally in initiating those investigations. U.S. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that Pack had violated those journalists' free speech protections by violating the "firewall" protecting the newsroom's editorial decisions from the parent agency's interference.
Four contractors lost jobs and an editor was suspended from the Urdu language service. Biberaj did not take action against the other journalists, despite intense pressure to reassign or fire several staffers. Foremost among them: White House bureau chief Steve Herman, who displeased Vice President Mike Pence with reports about his violating COVID-19 protocols at the Mayo Clinic last spring.
Soon after Pack arrived at USAGM, he moved to fire most of the top leadership team, including the chief financial officer, the general counsel, and the chief strategic officer. Due to civil service rules, he did not succeed. He was forced instead to put them on paid administrative leave, alleging they had committed security breaches that could leave the agency open to foreign espionage.
In August, Pack signed an agreement with McGuireWoods, a law firm based in Richmond, Va., to "conduct an internal investigation on behalf of USAGM regarding the complaints of potential misconduct by employees, including but not limited to use of organizational resources," according to legal documents reviewed by NPR.
The firm's lead partner on the case is a prominent Virginia attorney with strong Republican ties: John D. Adams, a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Pack, a conservative filmmaker, made a documentary focusing on Thomas's life with the usually recalcitrant justice's full cooperation.
A spokesman for McGuireWoods confirmed the contract in a statement.
"The U.S. Agency for Global Media ("USAGM") has retained McGuireWoods to conduct an independent review of aspects of a number of government reports issued since 2015, as well as other issues. This includes, but is not limited to, the Agency's response to a June 2015 Office of Inspector General (OIG) report relating to the Open Technology Fund ("OTF"), and a series of government audits and reports issued over several years relating to the Agency's personnel security program."
A lawyer representing whistleblowers against Pack and the agency railed against the contract. "It's patently absurd to root out abuse of government funds by paying a private law firm hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars," said David Seide, an attorney for the non-profit Government Accountability Project. "It's a gross misuse of government resources. That's what inspector generals are for!"
Seide previously worked as an investigative attorney for two federal inspectors general's offices.
McGuireWoods's earlier and inconclusive investigation of whether Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam appeared in a racist yearbook photo cost Eastern Virginia Medical School more than $360,000, according to the Virginian-Pilot.
Most of the executives whom Pack sought to fire are currently contesting their suspension and the ultimate goal of their dismissals, which he sought to instigate once more in recent weeks, according to several people with knowledge.
Pack does not appear to be chastened about the rebuke he received from Judge Howell. Lee Crain, an attorney representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against Pack, filed a complaint early this month with U.S. Justice Department attorneys who represented Pack and the agency. Crain wrote that senior aides to Pack had intervened in the planned promotion of two Voice of America journalists to long-term status despite Howell's banning any such involvement by the agency in VOA's editorial or personnel decisions.
Crain said the federal attorneys told him they were seeking more information from USAGM's lawyers.
Pack is himself likely to be dismissed once Joe Biden becomes president, a power the incoming president has thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving Trump the authority to force out the head of other independent agencies.
It may prove trickier for a Biden-appointed USAGM chief executive to name new heads of the networks, however. Pack's moves led Congress to draft legislation intended to impede the CEO's ability to do so without support of an advisory board that would itself first need the approval of the U.S. Senate.
Disclosure: This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR Media & Tech Editor Emily Kopp. Because of NPR CEO John Lansing's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published.


npr--2020-12-09--DOD Unveils Its Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution Plan

The Department of Defense aims to administer just under 44,000 doses of Pfizer 's coronavirus vaccine within 24 to 48 hours of authorization for emergency use .
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials have said they will make a decision soon after they hear from an advisory committee which meets Thursday .
The vaccine will be distributed through 16 DOD installations , 13 in the U.S and three overseas .
The facilities selected are in California , Florida , Indiana , Maryland , New York , North Carolina , Texas , Virginia and Washington , director of the Defense Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news conference Wednesday .
Each location was selected to be part of the DOD 's control pilot program for vaccine distribution .
The installations selected have sizable populations to receive the vaccine , ample medical staff and the cold storage capabilities required , Place explained .
Health care workers and high-risk people at these locations will be inoculated first .
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery said some senior leaders will also receive the vaccine `` as one way of helping to message the safety and efficacy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those eligible personnel to take the vaccine . ''
The emergency use authorization would prohibit the vaccine from being administered to anyone who does n't want to take it .
But DOD officials are optimistic that their 11 million personnel will have faith in the FDA .
`` Everything we do in life , every medication that we take , every surgical procedure that we have is all about risk , '' Place said .
`` And the risk of these vaccines , from what we know , is much less than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' If the FDA authorizes the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use , attention turns to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
There , the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will review the vaccine and then decide who gets the vaccine first and how .
`` As soon as the FDA issues an emergency use authorization , DOD 's allocation will be pre-positioned at our initial locations , '' McCaffery said .
`` We expect to have shots in arms of DoD personnel within 20-48 hours from the time the [ CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this first wave of inoculations is n't so much to stop the spread as much as it is to iron out any distribution issues .
The 44,000 doses will only treat about 9 % of the DOD 's high-risk individuals .
This will demonstrate whether the distribution process works , or does n't .
If things go well , the DOD has hundreds of sites all over the world that can be used to distribute a vaccine once production increases .
The DOD has fared well with the coronavirus compared to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had just under 131,000 cases and only 143 deaths .
The enforcement of protective measures and travel restrictions have allowed American forces to maintain combat readiness , McCaffery said .
Many service members are young and in good health , which means they will be some of the last to receive the vaccine .
Once health care workers and high-risk populations have been treated , individuals involved in critical national capability positions will receive the vaccine .

DOD Unveils Its Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution Plan
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The Department of Defense aims to administer just under 44,000 doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine within 24 to 48 hours of authorization for emergency use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials have said they will make a decision soon after they hear from an advisory committee which meets Thursday.
The vaccine will be distributed through 16 DOD installations, 13 in the U.S and three overseas. The facilities selected are in California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington, director of the Defense Health Agency Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place said in a news conference Wednesday.
Each location was selected to be part of the DOD's control pilot program for vaccine distribution. The installations selected have sizable populations to receive the vaccine, ample medical staff and the cold storage capabilities required, Place explained. Health care workers and high-risk people at these locations will be inoculated first.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery said some senior leaders will also receive the vaccine "as one way of helping to message the safety and efficacy, and underscore that we are encouraging all those eligible personnel to take the vaccine."
The emergency use authorization would prohibit the vaccine from being administered to anyone who doesn't want to take it. But DOD officials are optimistic that their 11 million personnel will have faith in the FDA.
"Everything we do in life, every medication that we take, every surgical procedure that we have is all about risk," Place said. "And the risk of these vaccines, from what we know, is much less than the risk of the actual disease process."
If the FDA authorizes the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use, attention turns to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will review the vaccine and then decide who gets the vaccine first and how.
"As soon as the FDA issues an emergency use authorization, DOD's allocation will be pre-positioned at our initial locations," McCaffery said. "We expect to have shots in arms of DoD personnel within 20-48 hours from the time the [CDC] issues its final recommendation."
But this first wave of inoculations isn't so much to stop the spread as much as it is to iron out any distribution issues. The 44,000 doses will only treat about 9% of the DOD's high-risk individuals. This will demonstrate whether the distribution process works, or doesn't. If things go well, the DOD has hundreds of sites all over the world that can be used to distribute a vaccine once production increases.
The DOD has fared well with the coronavirus compared to the rest of the country. It's had just under 131,000 cases and only 143 deaths. The enforcement of protective measures and travel restrictions have allowed American forces to maintain combat readiness, McCaffery said.
Many service members are young and in good health, which means they will be some of the last to receive the vaccine. Once health care workers and high-risk populations have been treated, individuals involved in critical national capability positions will receive the vaccine.


npr--2020-12-09--U.S. Hits Highest One-Day Death Toll From Coronavirus With 3,054

U.S .
Hits Highest One-Day Death Toll From Coronavirus With 3,054 The coronavirus pandemic pushed the U.S. past another dire @ @ @ @ @ daily death toll to date , even while the mortality rate has decreased as health @ @ @ @ @ disease .
The Covid Tracking Project , which tracks state-level coronavirus data , reported 3,054 @ @ @ @ @ significant jump from the previous single-day record of 2,769 on May 7 .
The spread @ @ @ @ @ another record with 106,688 COVID-19 patients in U.S. hospitals .
And overall , states reported @ @ @ @ @ cases .
According to the group , the spike represents more than a 10 % @ @ @ @ @ last 7 days .
Additionally , California nearly topped its single-day case record at 30,851 @ @ @ @ @ highest case count since December 6 , the organization reported .
The staggering spike in @ @ @ @ @ hospitals and intensive care units across the nation , an increase attributed by many experts @ @ @ @ @ at Thanksgiving .

U.S. Hits Highest 1-Day Toll From Coronavirus With 3,054 Deaths
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jae C. Hong/AP Jae C. Hong/AP
The coronavirus pandemic pushed the U.S. past another dire milestone Wednesday, the highest daily death toll to date, even while the mortality rate has decreased as health experts learn more about the disease.
The Covid Tracking Project, which tracks state-level coronavirus data, reported 3,054 COVID-19 related deaths — a significant jump from the previous single-day record of 2,769 on May 7.
The spread of the disease has shattered another record with 106,688 COVID-19 patients in U.S. hospitals. And overall, states reported 1.8 million tests and 210,000 cases. According to the group, the spike represents more than a 10% increase in cases over the last 7 days.
Additionally, California nearly topped its single-day case record at 30,851. It is the second highest case count since December 6, the organization reported.
The staggering spike in fatalities and infections has overwhelmed hospitals and intensive care units across the nation, an increase attributed by many experts to people relaxing their precautions at Thanksgiving.


npr--2020-12-09--Michigan GOP Sidelines Democrat For Her 'Unacceptable' Response To Lynching Threats

Michigan GOP Sidelines Democrat For Her 'Unacceptable ' Response To Lynching Threats Michigan state Rep. Cynthia Johnson , a Black Democratic lawmaker who faced lynching threats and harassment following an Oversight Committee hearing last week where she leveled fierce criticism against President Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani , has been punished by House Republican leaders for a video she posted to Facebook on Tuesday .
Republicans say that 's because in the video she appears to threaten supporters of the president .
Johnson has been stripped of her committee assignments , including her position on the House Oversight Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 10-second Facebook post , it 's not clear exactly what Johnson means when she issues her `` warning to you Trumpers .
Be careful .
Walk lightly . ''
She also says , `` And for those of you who are soldiers , you know how to do it .
Do it right .
Be in order .
Make them pay . ''
In a statement , Republican leaders called Johnson 's comments `` unacceptable and un-American . ''
Republicans also said they are looking into further action as investigations are ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been consistent in our position on this – violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics .
We have said that about threats against Gov .
[ Gretchen ] Whitmer , Secretary [ Jocelyn ] Benson , Rep. Johnson herself , and others .
That applies to threats made toward public officials , and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials . ''
Johnson could not be reached for comment regarding the loss of her committee assignments or a threat of sanctions in the coming House term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader-elect Donna Lasinski also issued a joint statement : `` There is no doubt that this election cycle has been rife with hyper-partisan political rhetoric , theatrics , and dangerous threats of violence toward elected and public officials and their loved ones , which continue to escalate amid the most significant public health crisis in our state and country . ''
But they said the action against Johnson will only increase tensions : '' The overheated language of the statement issued by [ House ] Speaker [ Lee ] Chatfield and Speaker-elect [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans prioritize partisan politics and political theater over healing the wounds of division , preserving the well-being of the Legislature as an institution , protecting the safety of members , and acting on the needs of the people of Michigan . ''
The House is expected to adjourn for the year at the end of this week .
Johnson will return for her second term when the Legislature 's new session begins in January .

Michigan GOP Sidelines Democrat For Her 'Unacceptable' Response To Lynching Threats
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Osorio/AP Carlos Osorio/AP
Michigan state Rep. Cynthia Johnson, a Black Democratic lawmaker who faced lynching threats and harassment following an Oversight Committee hearing last week where she leveled fierce criticism against President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, has been punished by House Republican leaders for a video she posted to Facebook on Tuesday. Republicans say that's because in the video she appears to threaten supporters of the president.
Johnson has been stripped of her committee assignments, including her position on the House Oversight Committee.
In the short but rambling three-minute and 10-second Facebook post, it's not clear exactly what Johnson means when she issues her "warning to you Trumpers. Be careful. Walk lightly." She also says, "And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay."
Johnson posted a second video later.
In a statement, Republican leaders called Johnson's comments "unacceptable and un-American." Republicans also said they are looking into further action as investigations are ongoing. The statement continued: "We have been consistent in our position on this – violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. We have said that about threats against Gov. [Gretchen] Whitmer, Secretary [Jocelyn] Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials."
Johnson could not be reached for comment regarding the loss of her committee assignments or a threat of sanctions in the coming House term.
House Democratic Leader Christine Greig and Democratic Leader-elect Donna Lasinski also issued a joint statement: "There is no doubt that this election cycle has been rife with hyper-partisan political rhetoric, theatrics, and dangerous threats of violence toward elected and public officials and their loved ones, which continue to escalate amid the most significant public health crisis in our state and country."
But they said the action against Johnson will only increase tensions:
"The overheated language of the statement issued by [House] Speaker [Lee] Chatfield and Speaker-elect [Jason] Wentworth, illustrates that the Republicans prioritize partisan politics and political theater over healing the wounds of division, preserving the well-being of the Legislature as an institution, protecting the safety of members, and acting on the needs of the people of Michigan."
The House is expected to adjourn for the year at the end of this week. Johnson will return for her second term when the Legislature's new session begins in January.


npr--2020-12-09--Arizona Man Sentenced For Role In Neo-Nazi Plot Targeting Journalists

Johnny Roman Garza , 21 , has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in a Neo-Nazi group 's plot to threaten and intimidate journalists .
Garza , who is from near Phoenix , admitted in September to conspiring with three other members of the Neo-Nazi group the Atomwaffen Division to identify journalists and others whose work exposed anti-Semitism .
On Jan. 25 in Phoenix , Garza placed a poster on the bedroom window of an editor at local Jewish magazine – a poster that depicted a figure in a skull mask holding a Molotov cocktail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the warning `` You have been visited by your local Nazis . ''
He also stopped at the apartment complex where a member of the Arizona Association of Black Journalists lived , but reportedly could not find a place to put the poster .
`` While this defendant did not hatch this disturbing plot , he enthusiastically embraced it , researching addresses for journalists and those who oppose hate in our communities , '' said Brian Moran , U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington , said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he delivered a hateful , threatening poster — spreading fear and anxiety .
Such conduct has no place in our community . ''
Garza pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to mail threatening communications , to commit cyberstalking and to interfere with a federally protected activity .
The Associated Press reports that Garza expressed remorse before his sentencing , which was about half the length recommended by prosecutors .
Garza said he was `` in a time of darkness and isolation '' that made it easier for `` rebellious and resentful '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Associated Press .
`` Very unfortunately , I fell in with the worst crowd you can probably fall in with , a very self-destructive crowd at the least . ''
The judge said he believes Garza is remorseful and took his youth and `` turbulent childhood '' into account in the sentencing , the AP reports .
Three others were charged in the plot .
Trials for Cameron Brandon Shea , of Redmond , Wash. , and Kaleb Cole , of Montgomery , Texas , are set to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Spring Hill , Fla. , pleaded guilty to related charges and will be sentenced in February .
Prosecutors say Cole and Shea created the posters and delivered them electronically to others .
Young men linked to Atomwaffen have been connected to murders in three states .
The U.S. District Court judge in this case , Judge John Coughenour , said it has been troubling to see officials at `` the highest levels of our government '' refer to journalists as `` enemies of the people , '' the AP reports .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media as 'fake news ' enables people who are vulnerable to suggestions like this , very young people ... that this kind of conduct is appropriate , '' Coughenour said .

Arizona Man Sentenced For Role In Neo-Nazi Plot Targeting Journalists
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ted S. Warren/AP Ted S. Warren/AP
Johnny Roman Garza, 21, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in a Neo-Nazi group's plot to threaten and intimidate journalists.
Garza, who is from near Phoenix, admitted in September to conspiring with three other members of the Neo-Nazi group the Atomwaffen Division to identify journalists and others whose work exposed anti-Semitism.
On Jan. 25 in Phoenix, Garza placed a poster on the bedroom window of an editor at local Jewish magazine – a poster that depicted a figure in a skull mask holding a Molotov cocktail in front of a burning home, along with the warning "You have been visited by your local Nazis." He also stopped at the apartment complex where a member of the Arizona Association of Black Journalists lived, but reportedly could not find a place to put the poster.
"While this defendant did not hatch this disturbing plot, he enthusiastically embraced it, researching addresses for journalists and those who oppose hate in our communities," said Brian Moran, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, said in a statement. "Ultimately in the dark of night he delivered a hateful, threatening poster — spreading fear and anxiety. Such conduct has no place in our community."
Garza pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to mail threatening communications, to commit cyberstalking and to interfere with a federally protected activity. The Associated Press reports that Garza expressed remorse before his sentencing, which was about half the length recommended by prosecutors.
Garza said he was "in a time of darkness and isolation" that made it easier for "rebellious and resentful" influences to take hold of his life, according to the Associated Press. "Very unfortunately, I fell in with the worst crowd you can probably fall in with, a very self-destructive crowd at the least."
The judge said he believes Garza is remorseful and took his youth and "turbulent childhood" into account in the sentencing, the AP reports.
Three others were charged in the plot. Trials for Cameron Brandon Shea, of Redmond, Wash., and Kaleb Cole, of Montgomery, Texas, are set to begin in March. Taylor Ashley Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Fla., pleaded guilty to related charges and will be sentenced in February.
Prosecutors say Cole and Shea created the posters and delivered them electronically to others.
Young men linked to Atomwaffen have been connected to murders in three states.
The U.S. District Court judge in this case, Judge John Coughenour, said it has been troubling to see officials at "the highest levels of our government" refer to journalists as "enemies of the people," the AP reports.
"Referring to journalism and the press and media as 'fake news' enables people who are vulnerable to suggestions like this, very young people ... that this kind of conduct is appropriate," Coughenour said.


npr--2020-12-09--House Approves Temporary Government Funding Bill As Larger Deal Remains Elusive

With both parties unable to reach agreement on a larger spending deal and a possible economic relief bill , House lawmakers approved a one-week , temporary funding measure to avoid a government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline .
The House approved the measure on a 343-67 vote .
It now heads to the Senate , which is expected to pass it and send the bill to President Trump 's desk by week 's end .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, expressed frustration that lawmakers had to approve yet another stopgap measure , known as a continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lights on .
`` We ought not to believe or pretend or represent this is the way we ought to do business .
It is not , '' Hoyer said on the House floor .
`` It is a function of procrastination , a function of failing to come together and making compromises . ''
In September , Congress approved its first stopgap measure for the new 2021 fiscal year that began Oct. 1 .
Wednesday 's measure marks the second such bill as lawmakers fail to reach agreement over the series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , members are hoping to make progress on another round of coronavirus relief that could be attached to the spending legislation .
After a flurry of offers were discussed between top House and Senate leaders and administration officials , not much movement was detected on Wednesday .
For now , lawmakers have signaled they remain closer on a larger , omnibus spending measure .
`` I know the staff is going to be working around the clock over the weekend to get us a bill done , '' Hoyer said .
Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maintains both parties are about 95 % done with an overall spending deal , but the remaining 5 % is the toughest to complete .
Shelby is also holding out hope that the measure could be attached to a potential relief deal .
`` I think perhaps the omnibus and the COVID relief are kind of linked , '' Shelby told Capitol Hill pool reporters .
Last week , a $ 908 billion proposal from a group of bipartisan centrist lawmakers restarted talks for a new round of relief aid for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders and White House officials .
But they 've been unable to reach agreement on language for a new liability shield for businesses affected by the pandemic — a key concern for Republicans — and aid for state and local governments — a top demand for Democrats .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said perhaps the two provisions should be dropped entirely from a final deal — but Democrats dismissed the idea .
And a new $ 916 billion proposal unveiled by the White House on Tuesday also did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said the plan scaled back unemployment benefits .
`` I think cutting unemployment ... to virtually almost nothing is a very , very bad idea , and so I 'm against that , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , told reporters Wednesday .
Democrats said the bipartisan deal should remain the basis for talks .
But McConnell said Congress is running out of time and slammed Democrats for rejecting the two recent proposals from Republican leaders .
`` We 're in the thick of one of the worst national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's eyes are fixed on Congress , '' McConnell said on the Senate floor .
`` They need the House and the Senate to stop chasing our tails and make a law . ''

House Approves Temporary Government Funding Bill As Larger Deal Remains Elusive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Tenally/AP Mark Tenally/AP
With both parties unable to reach agreement on a larger spending deal and a possible economic relief bill, House lawmakers approved a one-week, temporary funding measure to avoid a government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline.
The House approved the measure on a 343-67 vote. It now heads to the Senate, which is expected to pass it and send the bill to President Trump's desk by week's end.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., expressed frustration that lawmakers had to approve yet another stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, to keep the government's lights on.
"We ought not to believe or pretend or represent this is the way we ought to do business. It is not," Hoyer said on the House floor. "It is a function of procrastination, a function of failing to come together and making compromises."
In September, Congress approved its first stopgap measure for the new 2021 fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Wednesday's measure marks the second such bill as lawmakers fail to reach agreement over the series of spending bills for various federal agencies.
Also, members are hoping to make progress on another round of coronavirus relief that could be attached to the spending legislation. After a flurry of offers were discussed between top House and Senate leaders and administration officials, not much movement was detected on Wednesday.
For now, lawmakers have signaled they remain closer on a larger, omnibus spending measure.
"I know the staff is going to be working around the clock over the weekend to get us a bill done," Hoyer said.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., maintains both parties are about 95% done with an overall spending deal, but the remaining 5% is the toughest to complete.
Shelby is also holding out hope that the measure could be attached to a potential relief deal.
"I think perhaps the omnibus and the COVID relief are kind of linked," Shelby told Capitol Hill pool reporters.
Last week, a $908 billion proposal from a group of bipartisan centrist lawmakers restarted talks for a new round of relief aid for the first time in weeks between top congressional leaders and White House officials.
But they've been unable to reach agreement on language for a new liability shield for businesses affected by the pandemic — a key concern for Republicans — and aid for state and local governments — a top demand for Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said perhaps the two provisions should be dropped entirely from a final deal — but Democrats dismissed the idea.
And a new $916 billion proposal unveiled by the White House on Tuesday also didn't seem to help matters for Democrats, who said the plan scaled back unemployment benefits.
"I think cutting unemployment ... to virtually almost nothing is a very, very bad idea, and so I'm against that," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Wednesday.
Democrats said the bipartisan deal should remain the basis for talks. But McConnell said Congress is running out of time and slammed Democrats for rejecting the two recent proposals from Republican leaders.
"We're in the thick of one of the worst national crises in modern memory, and people's eyes are fixed on Congress," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "They need the House and the Senate to stop chasing our tails and make a law."


npr--2020-12-09--Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit Election experts scoffed this week when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he would be filing a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against four key states in an attempt to block presidential electors from finalizing Joe Biden 's election victory .
But now President Trump and 17 states he carried are joining that effort .
Officials in the states targeted in the suit — Georgia , Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania — derided it as nothing more than an unfounded publicity stunt .
The lawsuit may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention , but election law experts said he has little chance of getting the Supreme Court to support his move .
As election law expert Richard Hasen put it about the Texas filing , `` This is a press release masquerading as a lawsuit .
... What utter garbage .
Dangerous garbage , but garbage . ''
Just how little legal support there is for the lawsuit is evidenced by who signed the briefs asking the high court to intervene .
Trump 's brief was not signed by acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rather , the brief was signed by John Eastman , a conservative law professor at Chapman University .
( A Trump campaign statement said the president intervened `` in his personal capacity as candidate for re-election . ''
) The Texas brief was not signed by the state 's solicitor general , Kyle Hawkins .
Paxton , who signed the Texas brief , remains under indictment over securities fraud and is also facing an FBI investigation on bribery and abuse of office allegations .
All of the briefs filed so far are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sue the states in the Supreme Court .
As legal experts have noted , it is unclear what legal standing Trump , Texas or the 17 states supporting their move have for challenging the results of elections in other states .
Moreover , with the Electoral College slated to meet next week , this legal action amounts to little more than an eleventh hour Hail Mary pass .
It is more like trying to stop the stop the game clock from ticking when all the players are walking off the field .

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Election experts scoffed this week when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he would be filing a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against four key states in an attempt to block presidential electors from finalizing Joe Biden's election victory.
But now President Trump and 17 states he carried are joining that effort.
Officials in the states targeted in the suit — Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — derided it as nothing more than an unfounded publicity stunt.
The lawsuit may be a typically adept Trump move to get attention, but election law experts said he has little chance of getting the Supreme Court to support his move.
As election law expert Richard Hasen put it about the Texas filing, "This is a press release masquerading as a lawsuit. ... What utter garbage. Dangerous garbage, but garbage."
Just how little legal support there is for the lawsuit is evidenced by who signed the briefs asking the high court to intervene. Trump's brief was not signed by acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall or any other Justice Department official. Rather, the brief was signed by John Eastman, a conservative law professor at Chapman University. (A Trump campaign statement said the president intervened "in his personal capacity as candidate for re-election.")
The Texas brief was not signed by the state's solicitor general, Kyle Hawkins. Paxton, who signed the Texas brief, remains under indictment over securities fraud and is also facing an FBI investigation on bribery and abuse of office allegations.
All of the briefs filed so far are in the form of a motion seeking permission to sue the states in the Supreme Court. As legal experts have noted, it is unclear what legal standing Trump, Texas or the 17 states supporting their move have for challenging the results of elections in other states.
Moreover, with the Electoral College slated to meet next week, this legal action amounts to little more than an eleventh hour Hail Mary pass. It is more like trying to stop the game clock from ticking when all the players are walking off the field.


npr--2020-12-09--Google CEO Apologizes, Vows To Restore Trust After Black Scientist's Ouster

Google 's chief executive Sundar Pichai on Wednesday apologized in the aftermath of the dismissal of a prominent Black scientist whose ouster set off widespread condemnation from thousands of Google employees and outside researchers .
Timnit Gebru , who helped lead Google 's Ethical Artificial Intelligence team , said that she was fired last week after having a dispute over a research paper and sending a note to other Google employees criticizing the company for its treatment of people of color and women , particularly in hiring .
`` I 've heard the reaction to Dr. Gebru 's departure loud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led some in our community to question their place at Google .
I want to say how sorry I am for that , and I accept the responsibility of working to restore your trust , '' Pichai wrote to Google employees on Wednesday , according to a copy of the email reviewed by NPR .
Since Gebru was pushed out , more than 2,000 Google employees have signed an open letter demanding answers , calling Gebru 's termination `` research censorship '' and a `` retaliatory firing . ''
In his letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of how Gebru 's dismissal was handled in order to determine whether there could have been a `` more respectful process . ''
Pichai went on to say that Google needs to accept responsible for a prominent Black female leader leaving Google on bad terms .
`` This loss has had a ripple effect through some of our least represented communities , who saw themselves and some of their experiences reflected in Dr. Gebru 's .
It was also keenly felt because Dr. Gebru is an expert in an important area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make progress on — progress that depends on our ability to ask ourselves challenging questions , '' Pichai wrote .
Pichai said Google earlier this year committed to taking a look at all of the company 's systems for hiring and promoting employees to try to increase representation among Black workers and others underrepresented groups .
`` The events of the last week are a painful but important reminder of the progress we still need to make , '' Pichai wrote in his letter , which was earlier reported by Axios .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she did not appreciate Pichai 's email to her former colleagues .
`` Do n't paint me as an 'angry Black woman ' for whom you need 'de-escalation strategies ' for , '' Gebru said .
`` Finally it does not say ' I 'm sorry for what we did to her and it was wrong . '
What it DOES say is 'it seeded doubts and led some in our community to question their place at Google . '
So I see this as ' I 'm sorry for how it played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we did to her yet , ' '' Gebru wrote .
One Google employee who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation said Pichai 's letter will do little to address the simmering strife among Googlers since Gebru 's firing .
The employee expressed frustration that Pichai did not directly apologize for Gebru 's termination and continued to suggest she was not fired by the company , which Gebru and many of her colleagues say is not true .
The employees described Pichai 's letter as `` meaningless PR . ''
Editor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial supporters .

Google CEO Apologizes, Vows To Restore Trust After Black Scientist's Ouster
Enlarge this image toggle caption LM Otero/AP LM Otero/AP
Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai on Wednesday apologized in the aftermath of the dismissal of a prominent Black scientist whose ouster set off widespread condemnation from thousands of Google employees and outside researchers.
Timnit Gebru, who helped lead Google's Ethical Artificial Intelligence team, said that she was fired last week after having a dispute over a research paper and sending a note to other Google employees criticizing the company for its treatment of people of color and women, particularly in hiring.
"I've heard the reaction to Dr. Gebru's departure loud and clear: it seeded doubts and led some in our community to question their place at Google. I want to say how sorry I am for that, and I accept the responsibility of working to restore your trust," Pichai wrote to Google employees on Wednesday, according to a copy of the email reviewed by NPR.
Since Gebru was pushed out, more than 2,000 Google employees have signed an open letter demanding answers, calling Gebru's termination "research censorship" and a "retaliatory firing."
In his letter, Pichai said the company is conducting a review of how Gebru's dismissal was handled in order to determine whether there could have been a "more respectful process."
Pichai went on to say that Google needs to accept responsibility for a prominent Black female leader leaving Google on bad terms.
"This loss has had a ripple effect through some of our least represented communities, who saw themselves and some of their experiences reflected in Dr. Gebru's. It was also keenly felt because Dr. Gebru is an expert in an important area of AI Ethics that we must continue to make progress on — progress that depends on our ability to ask ourselves challenging questions," Pichai wrote.
Pichai said Google earlier this year committed to taking a look at all of the company's systems for hiring and promoting employees to try to increase representation among Black workers and others underrepresented groups.
"The events of the last week are a painful but important reminder of the progress we still need to make," Pichai wrote in his letter, which was earlier reported by Axios.
In a series of tweets, Gebru said she did not appreciate Pichai's email to her former colleagues.
"Don't paint me as an 'angry Black woman' for whom you need 'de-escalation strategies' for," Gebru said.
"Finally it does not say 'I'm sorry for what we did to her and it was wrong.' What it DOES say is 'it seeded doubts and led some in our community to question their place at Google.' So I see this as 'I'm sorry for how it played out but I'm not sorry for what we did to her yet,'" Gebru wrote.
One Google employee who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation said Pichai's letter will do little to address the simmering strife among Googlers since Gebru's firing.
The employee expressed frustration that Pichai did not directly apologize for Gebru's termination and continued to suggest she was not fired by the company, which Gebru and many of her colleagues say is not true. The employees described Pichai's letter as "meaningless PR."
Editor's note: Google is among NPR's financial supporters.


npr--2020-12-09--At Hospitals, A Race To Save 'Hundreds Of Thousands' Of Lives With New Vaccine

At Hospitals , A Race To Save 'Hundreds Of Thousands ' Of Lives With New Vaccine Lately , Jon Horton has been dreaming about freezers .
`` I was opening the freezer and I was taking something out of the freezer and putting it in something else , '' Horton said .
`` And it was just like — whew ! ''
And not just an ordinary freezer .
Horton is pharmacy operations director at Sentara — a health care network based in Norfolk , Va. Sentara officials are working out every detail of the logistics involved in rolling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be kept at nearly minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit or risk losing effectiveness .
`` At a certain point , you 're just trying to figure out what needs to be done next , '' Horton said during an interview with NPR at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital .
`` So you 're focusing on this process , and as you open up that door , you learn a little more . ''
As federal regulators prepare to meet Thursday to consider whether they 'll approve Pfizer 's brand-new coronavirus vaccine , employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine at hospitals around the United States .
The Sentara health system has four of the ultracold freezers that the vaccine requires , including one obtained through collaboration with a local medical school .
`` We usually just deal with freezing temperatures , you know , a typical freezer , '' said Tim Jennings , Sentara 's chief pharmacy officer .
`` That 's why we had to actually go out and acquire a special freezer for this . ''
For sites that do n't , there 's dry ice .
Jennings opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which resembles white `` cheese doodles , '' he notes .
There 's little room for error here : The vaccines must be monitored to make sure the temperature is stable each step of the way .
And they 're in short supply right now ; the first shipment from Pfizer is expected to include only about 72,000 doses for all of Virginia , a state of more than 8 million people .
Michelle Hood , chief operating officer at the American Hospital Association , said health care administrators across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertaking .
`` We 've never done anything like this as a country or in the world , as significant as this exercise is , '' Hood said .
`` And everything is new . ''
The first vaccines will go mostly to front-line health care workers at the highest risk of exposure .
That 's where Mary Morin , a vice president in charge of employee vaccination at Sentara , comes in .
She has a lot to think about as well .
`` I did wake up last night and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' `` Morin said .
Morin , whose background is as a registered nurse , has to turn Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about who should be first in line for the coronavirus vaccine into a real-life plan for her hospital workers .
`` A front door to the hospital is the emergency department .
You may have a security guard there .
They 're patient facing .
They 're forward facing , '' she said .
`` So it 's the staff — it is n't just the nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu shot , Sentara officials say , the coronavirus vaccine will be optional for staff .
Large studies indicate the Pfizer vaccine is about 95 % effective with few side effects .
But it 's brand-new , and convincing people to take it may be a challenge .
The challenge ahead for hospital staff members like Jennings is making sure the vaccine is properly stored and administered to those who are willing and able to take the first doses .
If the vaccine receives federal approval , officials say it could start being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We realize if we do this right , we could save thousands of lives , '' Jennings said , `` if not hundreds of thousands . ''

At Hospitals, A Race To Save 'Hundreds Of Thousands' Of Lives With New Vaccine
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah McCammon/NPR Sarah McCammon/NPR
Lately, Jon Horton has been dreaming about freezers.
"I was opening the freezer and I was taking something out of the freezer and putting it in something else," Horton said. "And it was just like — whew!"
And not just an ordinary freezer. Horton is pharmacy operations director at Sentara — a health care network based in Norfolk, Va.
Sentara officials are working out every detail of the logistics involved in rolling out the coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer, which has to be kept at nearly minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit or risk losing effectiveness.
"At a certain point, you're just trying to figure out what needs to be done next," Horton said during an interview with NPR at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. "So you're focusing on this process, and as you open up that door, you learn a little more."
As federal regulators prepare to meet Thursday to consider whether they'll approve Pfizer's brand-new coronavirus vaccine, employees like Horton are preparing to receive the vaccine at hospitals around the United States.
The Sentara health system has four of the ultracold freezers that the vaccine requires, including one obtained through collaboration with a local medical school.
"We usually just deal with freezing temperatures, you know, a typical freezer," said Tim Jennings, Sentara's chief pharmacy officer. "That's why we had to actually go out and acquire a special freezer for this."
For sites that don't, there's dry ice. Jennings opens a big blue bin full of it, which resembles white "cheese doodles," he notes.
There's little room for error here: The vaccines must be monitored to make sure the temperature is stable each step of the way. And they're in short supply right now; the first shipment from Pfizer is expected to include only about 72,000 doses for all of Virginia, a state of more than 8 million people.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah McCammon/NPR Sarah McCammon/NPR
Michelle Hood, chief operating officer at the American Hospital Association, said health care administrators across the country are gearing up for a major logistical undertaking.
"We've never done anything like this as a country or in the world, as significant as this exercise is," Hood said. "And everything is new."
The first vaccines will go mostly to front-line health care workers at the highest risk of exposure.
That's where Mary Morin, a vice president in charge of employee vaccination at Sentara, comes in. She has a lot to think about as well.
"I did wake up last night and I'm going, 'Oh, my God,' " Morin said.
Morin, whose background is as a registered nurse, has to turn Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about who should be first in line for the coronavirus vaccine into a real-life plan for her hospital workers.
"A front door to the hospital is the emergency department. You may have a security guard there. They're patient facing. They're forward facing," she said. "So it's the staff — it isn't just the nurses and the physicians."
Unlike the flu shot, Sentara officials say, the coronavirus vaccine will be optional for staff. Large studies indicate the Pfizer vaccine is about 95% effective with few side effects. But it's brand-new, and convincing people to take it may be a challenge.
The challenge ahead for hospital staff members like Jennings is making sure the vaccine is properly stored and administered to those who are willing and able to take the first doses. If the vaccine receives federal approval, officials say it could start being given to health care workers within days.
"We realize if we do this right, we could save thousands of lives," Jennings said, "if not hundreds of thousands."


npr--2020-12-09--Champions League: Referee's Remark Investigated After Teams Walk Off In Protest

Champions League : Referee 's Remark Investigated After Teams Walk Off In Protest A Champions League soccer match resumed on Wednesday with a new set of officials , after the original Tuesday game was postponed following an incident of alleged racism by an official that resulted in both teams walking off the pitch .
The incident began 14 minutes into Tuesday 's match in Paris between soccer clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir .
A match official , Sebastian Coltescu , told referee Ovidiu Hategan that Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo should be sent off the field for his sideline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coltescu was accused of using a racial term in referring to Webo , a Black man , as The Associated Press reports : '' Go and give it ( the red card ) to the Black one , this is not possible ( tolerable ) , go and identify him , go verify , the Black one over there , '' Coltescu allegedly said , in Romanian , about Webo .
Webo was enraged and was heard to repeat at least six times `` Why you say negro ? ''
as he sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was visibly distressed , then added : `` He ca n't say negro , he ca n't say negro . ''
At this point , [ Basaksehir player Demba ] Ba could be heard also questioning what Coltescu had said .
`` Why is the fourth official saying 'negro ' ? ''
Ba said twice .
Moments later , Ba then came off the bench and stood in front of Coltescu and said : `` Why , when you mention a Black guy , you have to say , 'this Black guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field , both teams left the pitch , in what The Guardian reports is thought to be the first such protest in Europe .
UEFA , soccer 's governing body in Europe , put out a statement on Tuesday that the match would resume the next day with a new team of match officials .
The body says it `` will be conducting a thorough investigation .
Racism , and discrimination in all its forms , has no place within football . ''
According to UEFA 's disciplinary regulations , which apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaches , any person who `` insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds , including skin colour , race , religion , ethnic origin , gender or sexual orientation '' incurs a suspension of at least 10 matches .
Piara Powar , executive director of the anti-discrimination-in-soccer network Fare , told the AP that the walk-off by both teams `` lays down a marker in Europe '' and shows that `` many players are fed up with half measures to tackle racism . ''
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have confirmed it is racist in Romanian to refer to a player by using his race as an identifier , '' Powar said .
`` There is no ambiguity .
This incident shows the need for much better training of match officials .
Unintentional racism is still racism . ''
Paris St. Germain 's most prominent players made their opinions known .
`` SAY NO TO RACISM .
M. WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU , '' wrote Kylian Mbappé .
`` BLACK LIVES MATTER , '' tweeted Neymar .
The president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Romanian sports news website ProSport that more details are needed on what exactly happened .
`` If it is proved that we are talking about racism , there will be no understanding on my part , '' Burleanu said , according to a translation by The Guardian .
`` However , we must wait for all the actual details of this incident before drawing conclusions .
The intention does n't appear to have been to insult , I think that is obvious .
The UEFA report will clarify the incident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Before Wednesday 's match , players on both teams warmed up wearing T-shirts that said `` No To Racism . ''
PSG won the match 5-1 .

Champions League: Referee's Remark Investigated After Teams Walk Off In Protest
Enlarge this image toggle caption Francois Mori/AP Francois Mori/AP
A Champions League soccer match resumed on Wednesday with a new set of officials, after the original Tuesday game was postponed following an incident of alleged racism by an official that resulted in both teams walking off the pitch.
The incident began 14 minutes into Tuesday's match in Paris between soccer clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir. A match official, Sebastian Coltescu, told referee Ovidiu Hategan that Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo should be sent off the field for his sideline conduct.
While speaking with Hategan, Coltescu was accused of using a racial term in referring to Webo, a Black man, as The Associated Press reports:
"Go and give it (the red card) to the Black one, this is not possible (tolerable), go and identify him, go verify, the Black one over there," Coltescu allegedly said, in Romanian, about Webo. Webo was enraged and was heard to repeat at least six times "Why you say negro?" as he sought an explanation from Coltescu. Webo, who was visibly distressed, then added: "He can't say negro, he can't say negro." At this point, [Basaksehir player Demba] Ba could be heard also questioning what Coltescu had said. "Why is the fourth official saying 'negro'?" Ba said twice. Moments later, Ba then came off the bench and stood in front of Coltescu and said: "Why, when you mention a Black guy, you have to say, 'this Black guy'?"
After more discussion on the field, both teams left the pitch, in what The Guardian reports is thought to be the first such protest in Europe.
UEFA, soccer's governing body in Europe, put out a statement on Tuesday that the match would resume the next day with a new team of match officials. The body says it "will be conducting a thorough investigation. Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images
According to UEFA's disciplinary regulations, which apply to officials as well as players and coaches, any person who "insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation" incurs a suspension of at least 10 matches.
Piara Powar, executive director of the anti-discrimination-in-soccer network Fare, told the AP that the walk-off by both teams "lays down a marker in Europe" and shows that "many players are fed up with half measures to tackle racism."
"Our colleagues at the Romanian state anti-discrimination organization have confirmed it is racist in Romanian to refer to a player by using his race as an identifier," Powar said. "There is no ambiguity. This incident shows the need for much better training of match officials. Unintentional racism is still racism."
Paris St. Germain's most prominent players made their opinions known. "SAY NO TO RACISM. M. WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU," wrote Kylian Mbappé. "BLACK LIVES MATTER," tweeted Neymar.
The president of the Romanian football federation, Răzvan Burleanu, told the Romanian sports news website ProSport that more details are needed on what exactly happened.
"If it is proved that we are talking about racism, there will be no understanding on my part," Burleanu said, according to a translation by The Guardian. "However, we must wait for all the actual details of this incident before drawing conclusions. The intention doesn't appear to have been to insult, I think that is obvious. The UEFA report will clarify the incident and the measure of guilt for those involved."
Before Wednesday's match, players on both teams warmed up wearing T-shirts that said "No To Racism." PSG won the match 5-1.


npr--2020-12-09--Progress Toward A Safer Psychedelic Drug To Treat Depression And Addiction

Progress Toward A Safer Psychedelic Drug To Treat Depression And Addiction A chemically tweaked version of the psychedelic drug ibogaine appears to relieve depression and addiction symptoms without producing hallucinations or other dangerous side effects .
The results of a study in rodents suggest it may be possible to make psychedelic drugs safe enough to become mainstream treatments for psychiatric disorders , the authors report Wednesday in the journal Nature .
`` What we need is a medicine that is so safe that you can take it home and put it in your medicine cabinet just like you would aspirin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper 's senior author and an assistant professor at the University of California , Davis .
`` And that 's really what we were trying to achieve . ''
The success with ibogaine is `` a promising first step , '' says Gabriela Manzano , a postdoctoral fellow at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and a co-author of a commentary on the study .
`` This provides a road map on how we could start tweaking these chemical compounds to make them very useful in the clinic , '' she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid of the bad parts . ''
For decades , psychedelic drugs , including ketamine and psilocybin , have shown promise in treating people with mental health problems including addiction , depression and post-traumatic stress disorder .
But doctors and researchers have been wary of using the drugs because of their side effects .
Olson 's team selected ibogaine because it seemed to have the most daunting side effects , including hallucinations and potentially fatal heart problems .
It 's also increasingly hard to find the plants that naturally contain ibogaine , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to make in large quantities .
These obstacles make ibogaine `` the Mount Everest of psychedelics , '' Olson says .
But ibogaine , which comes from the roots of a West African shrub , also has great potential , Olson says .
Small studies have suggested it can dramatically reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms .
So Olson and a team of researchers set out to answer a question : `` Can you take a really complex molecular structure like ibogaine and distill it down to its essential elements that give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The team started by giving the ibogaine molecule some nips and tucks .
`` We lopped off the parts of the structure that gave rise to a lot of the deleterious effects , '' he says , `` and we left the part of the structure intact that still was able to have anti-addictive and antidepressant properties . ''
These changes resulted in a substance that was not only safer , but easier to manufacture .
The scientists named their creation tabernanthalog , or TBG .
The team began testing TBG in rodents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on alcohol .
`` Every single animal in the experiment reduced their consumption of alcohol , which was really , really surprising , '' Olson says .
TBG also helped rats that had been addicted to heroin .
Usually , these rats relapse in response to light or sound cues they 've been taught to associate with the drug .
But rats given TBG were much less likely to relapse .
Finally , the team tested TBG on mice with behaviors associated with depression .
Those symptoms improved .
None of the animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with hallucination .
Olson , who has a financial stake in TBG , says drugs based on psychedelic substances have great potential because they work in a different way than most conventional drug treatments .
`` They do n't mask disease symptoms , '' he says .
`` They 're really designed to try to rewire the brain . ''
It 's still unclear , though , whether trip-less synthetic versions of hallucinogenic drugs will work as well as their natural counterparts .
`` One of the big questions in the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for getting better , '' says Dr. Conor Liston , an associate professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Weill Cornell and the other author of the TBG commentary .
`` There 's some evidence both ways . ''
Regardless , Liston says , it 's time for scientists to figure out finally what psychedelic drugs and their trip-less counterparts can do for people with depression , addiction , PTSD and other disorders .
`` Let 's gather the data , let 's see what works , let 's make sure we understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But let 's also be open to the possibility that these compounds could really help a lot of people who need help . ''

Progress Toward A Safer Psychedelic Drug To Treat Depression And Addiction
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steeve Jordan/AFP via Getty Images Steeve Jordan/AFP via Getty Images
A chemically tweaked version of the psychedelic drug ibogaine appears to relieve depression and addiction symptoms without producing hallucinations or other dangerous side effects.
The results of a study in rodents suggest it may be possible to make psychedelic drugs safe enough to become mainstream treatments for psychiatric disorders, the authors report Wednesday in the journal Nature.
"What we need is a medicine that is so safe that you can take it home and put it in your medicine cabinet just like you would aspirin," says David Olson, the paper's senior author and an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis. "And that's really what we were trying to achieve."
The success with ibogaine is "a promising first step," says Gabriela Manzano, a postdoctoral fellow at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and a co-author of a commentary on the study.
"This provides a road map on how we could start tweaking these chemical compounds to make them very useful in the clinic," she says. "Keep the good parts, get rid of the bad parts."
For decades, psychedelic drugs, including ketamine and psilocybin, have shown promise in treating people with mental health problems including addiction, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. But doctors and researchers have been wary of using the drugs because of their side effects.
Olson's team selected ibogaine because it seemed to have the most daunting side effects, including hallucinations and potentially fatal heart problems. It's also increasingly hard to find the plants that naturally contain ibogaine, and synthetic versions of the drug have been difficult to make in large quantities.
These obstacles make ibogaine "the Mount Everest of psychedelics," Olson says.
But ibogaine, which comes from the roots of a West African shrub, also has great potential, Olson says. Small studies have suggested it can dramatically reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
So Olson and a team of researchers set out to answer a question: "Can you take a really complex molecular structure like ibogaine and distill it down to its essential elements that give rise to the beneficial effects?"
The team started by giving the ibogaine molecule some nips and tucks.
"We lopped off the parts of the structure that gave rise to a lot of the deleterious effects," he says, "and we left the part of the structure intact that still was able to have anti-addictive and antidepressant properties."
These changes resulted in a substance that was not only safer, but easier to manufacture. The scientists named their creation tabernanthalog, or TBG.
The team began testing TBG in rodents, including some mice raised to binge on alcohol. "Every single animal in the experiment reduced their consumption of alcohol, which was really, really surprising," Olson says.
TBG also helped rats that had been addicted to heroin. Usually, these rats relapse in response to light or sound cues they've been taught to associate with the drug. But rats given TBG were much less likely to relapse.
Finally, the team tested TBG on mice with behaviors associated with depression. Those symptoms improved.
None of the animals given TBG experienced heart problems or behaviors associated with hallucination.
Olson, who has a financial stake in TBG, says drugs based on psychedelic substances have great potential because they work in a different way than most conventional drug treatments.
"They don't mask disease symptoms," he says. "They're really designed to try to rewire the brain."
It's still unclear, though, whether trip-less synthetic versions of hallucinogenic drugs will work as well as their natural counterparts.
"One of the big questions in the field is, is the hallucinogenic experience necessary for getting better," says Dr. Conor Liston, an associate professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Weill Cornell and the other author of the TBG commentary. "There's some evidence both ways."
Regardless, Liston says, it's time for scientists to figure out finally what psychedelic drugs and their trip-less counterparts can do for people with depression, addiction, PTSD and other disorders.
"Let's gather the data, let's see what works, let's make sure we understand the safety profile," he says. "But let's also be open to the possibility that these compounds could really help a lot of people who need help."


npr--2020-12-09--Return Of The Max: Boeing 737 Takes Off On First Commercial Flight in 20 Months

Return Of The Max : Boeing 737 Takes Off On First Commercial Flight in 20 Months Boeing 's 737 Max jet is flying commercial routes once again , as Brazil 's Gol Airlines brought the jetliner back into service Wednesday .
The worldwide fleet of 737 Max planes has been grounded since March 2019 , after two deadly crashes raised concerns over the aircraft 's safety and airworthiness .
Gol flew passengers on a 737 Max 8 Wednesday from São Paulo to Porto Alegre , along Brazil 's eastern coast .
The trip lasted roughly an hour and 15 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the aviation tracking site Flightradar24 .
A regular schedule of flights is planned — and the airline says it will accommodate anyone who would rather avoid the plane .
`` Customers will be able to exchange their tickets if they do n't want to fly on a 737 Max , '' The Associated Press reports , citing a Gol spokesperson .
Gol organized a celebratory demonstration flight late last week , in which a collection of the airline 's employees , executives and their family members flew aboard the aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after Brazil 's aviation agency , the ANAC , joined the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in revoking an order that grounded the Boeing 737 Max .
The 737 Max came under intense scrutiny after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia were traced to `` faulty sensors and a flawed flight control system that repeatedly forced the planes into nosedives that the pilots were unable to control , '' as NPR 's David Schaper has reported .
The FAA ordered airlines to carry out several improvements before the plane could again carry passengers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And after a long furlough , the planes had to be thoroughly checked out to be sure they were ready .

Return Of The Max: Boeing 737 Takes Off On First Commercial Flight in 20 Months
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andre Penner/AP Andre Penner/AP
Boeing's 737 Max jet is flying commercial routes once again, as Brazil's Gol Airlines brought the jetliner back into service Wednesday. The worldwide fleet of 737 Max planes has been grounded since March 2019, after two deadly crashes raised concerns over the aircraft's safety and airworthiness.
Gol flew passengers on a 737 Max 8 Wednesday from São Paulo to Porto Alegre, along Brazil's eastern coast. The trip lasted roughly an hour and 15 minutes, with the plane landing on schedule, according to the aviation tracking site Flightradar24.
A regular schedule of flights is planned — and the airline says it will accommodate anyone who would rather avoid the plane.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Boeing Boeing
"Customers will be able to exchange their tickets if they don't want to fly on a 737 Max," The Associated Press reports, citing a Gol spokesperson.
Gol organized a celebratory demonstration flight late last week, in which a collection of the airline's employees, executives and their family members flew aboard the aircraft.
Wednesday's commercial flight comes two weeks after Brazil's aviation agency, the ANAC, joined the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in revoking an order that grounded the Boeing 737 Max.
The 737 Max came under intense scrutiny after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia were traced to "faulty sensors and a flawed flight control system that repeatedly forced the planes into nosedives that the pilots were unable to control," as NPR's David Schaper has reported.
The FAA ordered airlines to carry out several improvements before the plane could again carry passengers, including software changes and enhanced crew training. And after a long furlough, the planes had to be thoroughly checked out to be sure they were ready.