npr--2020-02-06--Here's What We've Learned So Far At Harvey Weinstein's Trial

Here 's What We 've Learned So Far At Harvey Weinstein 's Trial The prosecution has rested its case .
Just more than two weeks after Manhattan prosecutors made opening statements in Harvey Weinstein 's trial , their witnesses have said their piece and the prosecutors have ceded the stage to his defense team .
The former Hollywood megaproducer could face life in prison if convicted of rape and predatory sexual assault , allegations he has repeatedly denied .
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Manhattan , casting the incidents as entirely consensual encounters .
Now his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press their case .
But before the trial moves on , it 's worth pausing to review and reflect on what 's happened so far .
Here 's a window on the prosecution 's case , told in four major moments .
• Annabella Sciorra : `` I wished I had never opened the door . ''
• Miriam Haley : `` I just checked out and decided to endure it . ''
• Jessica Mann : `` I do want the jury to know he is my rapist . ''
• Supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , no ' the whole time . ''
The first of six women to take the stand and accuse Weinstein of rape or sexual assault , the actress recounted an incident in the winter of 1993-94 , roughly three years after she first met the producer .
She said Weinstein gave her a ride home after a dinner party .
After dropping her off , she said , the producer reappeared at her door , forced his way through and began unbuttoning his shirt as soon as he was inside her apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto the bed , where he held her down and raped her .
She recalled that , immediately afterward , he also forcibly performed oral sex on her over her objections .
`` This is for you , '' he told her , according to Sciorra .
`` I wanted to pretend it never happened , '' she said of the immediate aftermath .
`` I thought he was a nice person .
I thought he was an OK guy , '' she added .
`` I felt confused .
I felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door . ''
During cross-examination , Weinstein 's defense team questioned how the producer could have made it into Sciorra 's apartment building , past her doorman and all the way to her door without her knowing .
And they focused on the fact that she did not immediately report the alleged incident to police .
Sciorra also said he later harassed her with messages and surprise visits while she was filming a movie in London .
But she largely avoided one-on-one contact with him — except , she said , for another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Film Festival in France , she opened her hotel room door to find him `` in his underwear with a bottle of baby oil in one hand and a videotape in the other . ''
Sciorra said he left when she managed to call hotel staff up to the room .
One thing to note : Haley recently changed her last name from Haleyi , partly because of negative attention associated with the trial .
Haley told the courtroom that on July 10 , 2006 , when the then-production assistant was at Weinstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer pushed her into a bedroom and onto the bed .
There , she said , he ignored her protests that she was menstruating , removed her tampon and forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him no .
`` I could n't even get away from him at all , let alone get out of the apartment , '' she said .
`` Ultimately after a while , I just checked out and decided to endure it .
That was the safest thing for me to do at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Haley said , she went to Weinstein 's hotel to confront him .
He had her come up to his room , where she said he had sex with her while she did n't resist .
`` I felt numb , '' she said , noting her sense of humiliation at finding herself in another helpless position .
`` I felt like an idiot , and I felt numb . ''
Weinstein 's team sought to undermine Haley 's account by questioning why she continued to remain in contact with him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mann 's assertions , along with Haley 's , form the foundation of the charges .
An aspiring actress at the time , she said she met Weinstein at a party around the start of 2013 .
They had a few more encounters , typically at parties he had invited her to .
Then , Mann said , a dinner with him and her female friend later that year ended with all three in a hotel suite in LA .
He allegedly pulled Mann into the bedroom and closed the door , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and performed oral sex on her over her objections .
This alleged incident , because it did n't occur in Manhattan , is not included in the charges .
But Mann said she continued to see him afterward and that they developed a sexual relationship she described as `` extremely degrading . ''
`` I thought he was deformed and intersex , '' she told the courtroom , referring to `` extreme scarring '' and other graphic details about Weinstein 's body .
Other witnesses recounted similar tales .
During a trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she arranged to meet Weinstein with two of her associates over breakfast at her hotel .
But when she went downstairs , she said she found him booking a room at the front desk despite her objections .
He then allegedly pulled her upstairs , demanded she undress and forced her to have sex without using protection .
During cross-examination , defense attorneys pointed to what they said were flirtatious and flattering messages she sent to Weinstein or to others about him .
As part of this litany of messages , they requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote praising Weinstein , which also included a reference to a separate sexual assault in her past .
But as she read the letter , Mann broke down in sobs and had to leave the courtroom .
After the cross-examination resumed the next day , Mann pushed back on the line of questioning , saying her correspondence was n't the important point .
`` I do want the jury to know he is my rapist , '' she told Weinstein 's lawyer , `` and I hope I can continue to explain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I mean , he raped me ; it is irrelevant . ''
Prosecutors also supported their case with stories from several other women , who contributed their testimony under exceptions to what 's called the `` Molineux Rule . ''
That provision limits the type of evidence typically allowed at trial when it is n't directly related , but occasionally judges will admit additional accounts if they demonstrate a pattern of behavior .
Philadelphia prosecutors , for instance , used the tactic successfully in obtaining the 2018 sexual assault conviction against Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges against him were founded on the testimony of Mann , Haley and Sciorra — but Judge James Burke allowed three other women to testify at the trial : Tarale Wulff , Dawn Dunning and Lauren Young .
The stories the women told shared striking similarities : young women who were aspiring actresses or models , warily meeting with the producer who dangled promises of jobs and movie roles , only to find themselves unexpectedly alone with him at his home or in a hotel room .
`` I said 'no , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; that I had a boyfriend ; that I was n't interested , '' Young said of an incident in 2013 , alleging that he cornered and sexually assaulted her in a hotel bathroom .
`` He 's carrying on with conversation , 'This is what all actresses do , to make it . '
``

Here's What We've Learned So Far At Harvey Weinstein's Trial
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP Mark Lennihan/AP
Editor's note: This report includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault.
The prosecution has rested its case.
Just more than two weeks after Manhattan prosecutors made opening statements in Harvey Weinstein's trial, their witnesses have said their piece and the prosecutors have ceded the stage to his defense team.
The former Hollywood megaproducer could face life in prison if convicted of rape and predatory sexual assault, allegations he has repeatedly denied. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Manhattan, casting the incidents as entirely consensual encounters. Now his defense team will get their turn to press their case.
But before the trial moves on, it's worth pausing to review and reflect on what's happened so far. Here's a window on the prosecution's case, told in four major moments.
Annabella Sciorra
The first of six women to take the stand and accuse Weinstein of rape or sexual assault, the actress recounted an incident in the winter of 1993-94, roughly three years after she first met the producer.
She said Weinstein gave her a ride home after a dinner party. After dropping her off, she said, the producer reappeared at her door, forced his way through and began unbuttoning his shirt as soon as he was inside her apartment. Then, he allegedly shoved her onto the bed, where he held her down and raped her.
She recalled that, immediately afterward, he also forcibly performed oral sex on her over her objections. "This is for you," he told her, according to Sciorra.
"I wanted to pretend it never happened," she said of the immediate aftermath.
"I thought he was a nice person. I thought he was an OK guy," she added. "I felt confused. I felt like I wished I had never opened the door."
During cross-examination, Weinstein's defense team questioned how the producer could have made it into Sciorra's apartment building, past her doorman and all the way to her door without her knowing. And they focused on the fact that she did not immediately report the alleged incident to police.
Sciorra also said he later harassed her with messages and surprise visits while she was filming a movie in London. But she largely avoided one-on-one contact with him — except, she said, for another notable incident: During the 1997 Cannes Film Festival in France, she opened her hotel room door to find him "in his underwear with a bottle of baby oil in one hand and a videotape in the other."
Sciorra said he left when she managed to call hotel staff up to the room.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aggie Kenny/AP Aggie Kenny/AP
Miriam Haley
One thing to note: Haley recently changed her last name from Haleyi, partly because of negative attention associated with the trial.
Haley told the courtroom that on July 10, 2006, when the then-production assistant was at Weinstein's apartment at his invitation, the producer pushed her into a bedroom and onto the bed. There, she said, he ignored her protests that she was menstruating, removed her tampon and forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him no.
"I couldn't even get away from him at all, let alone get out of the apartment," she said. "Ultimately after a while, I just checked out and decided to endure it. That was the safest thing for me to do at that point."
Law Key Witness Miriam Haley Testifies Harvey Weinstein Raped Her Key Witness Miriam Haley Testifies Harvey Weinstein Raped Her Listen · 3:37 3:37
Later that same month, Haley said, she went to Weinstein's hotel to confront him. He had her come up to his room, where she said he had sex with her while she didn't resist.
"I felt numb," she said, noting her sense of humiliation at finding herself in another helpless position. "I felt like an idiot, and I felt numb."
Weinstein's team sought to undermine Haley's account by questioning why she continued to remain in contact with him, exchanging friendly emails and other messages.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images
Jessica Mann
Mann's assertions, along with Haley's, form the foundation of the charges.
An aspiring actress at the time, she said she met Weinstein at a party around the start of 2013. They had a few more encounters, typically at parties he had invited her to. Then, Mann said, a dinner with him and her female friend later that year ended with all three in a hotel suite in LA.
He allegedly pulled Mann into the bedroom and closed the door, leaving her friend in the other room, and performed oral sex on her over her objections. This alleged incident, because it didn't occur in Manhattan, is not included in the charges.
National Jessica Mann Takes The Stand In Harvey Weinstein Rape Trial Jessica Mann Takes The Stand In Harvey Weinstein Rape Trial Listen · 2:43 2:43
But Mann said she continued to see him afterward and that they developed a sexual relationship she described as "extremely degrading." "I thought he was deformed and intersex," she told the courtroom, referring to "extreme scarring" and other graphic details about Weinstein's body. Other witnesses recounted similar tales.
During a trip to New York City, Mann said, she arranged to meet Weinstein with two of her associates over breakfast at her hotel. But when she went downstairs, she said she found him booking a room at the front desk despite her objections. He then allegedly pulled her upstairs, demanded she undress and forced her to have sex without using protection.
During cross-examination, defense attorneys pointed to what they said were flirtatious and flattering messages she sent to Weinstein or to others about him. As part of this litany of messages, they requested that she read a letter that she wrote praising Weinstein, which also included a reference to a separate sexual assault in her past. But as she read the letter, Mann broke down in sobs and had to leave the courtroom.
After the cross-examination resumed the next day, Mann pushed back on the line of questioning, saying her correspondence wasn't the important point.
"I do want the jury to know he is my rapist," she told Weinstein's lawyer, "and I hope I can continue to explain the dynamic of why I engaged with him. I mean, he raped me; it is irrelevant."
Supporting witnesses
Prosecutors also supported their case with stories from several other women, who contributed their testimony under exceptions to what's called the "Molineux Rule." That provision limits the type of evidence typically allowed at trial when it isn't directly related, but occasionally judges will admit additional accounts if they demonstrate a pattern of behavior.
Philadelphia prosecutors, for instance, used the tactic successfully in obtaining the 2018 sexual assault conviction against Bill Cosby.
Law How The 'Molineux Rule' Permits Certain Witnesses In The Harvey Weinstein Trial How The 'Molineux Rule' Permits Certain Witnesses In The Harvey Weinstein Trial Listen · 4:11 4:11
In Weinstein's case, the charges against him were founded on the testimony of Mann, Haley and Sciorra — but Judge James Burke allowed three other women to testify at the trial: Tarale Wulff, Dawn Dunning and Lauren Young.
The stories the women told shared striking similarities: young women who were aspiring actresses or models, warily meeting with the producer who dangled promises of jobs and movie roles, only to find themselves unexpectedly alone with him at his home or in a hotel room.
Propositions, groping and rape allegedly followed.
"I said 'no, no, no' the whole time; that I had a boyfriend; that I wasn't interested," Young said of an incident in 2013, alleging that he cornered and sexually assaulted her in a hotel bathroom. "He's carrying on with conversation, 'This is what all actresses do, to make it.' "
NPR's Rose Friedman contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-06--Trump Administration Suspends New Yorkers From Trusted Traveler Programs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will no longer allow New York state residents to enroll in programs intended to expedite international travel because of a state law that blocks immigration authorities from accessing motor vehicle records .
New York 's `` Green Light '' law , which took effect in December , allows immigrants without legal status to apply for driver 's licenses .
It also includes a provision barring state officials at the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing data with immigration authorities unless a judge orders them to do so .
Ken Cuccinelli , acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a conference call Thursday that the state law was `` dangerous — really thoughtless in terms of unintended consequences . ''
`` President Trump certainly made it clear that if sanctuary city politicians — and sanctuary state , as well — wo n't keep their people safe , we 'll do the best we can to keep them safe , '' Cuccinelli said .
He said his department has suspended all applications and renewals connected with several of its Trusted Traveler programs , such as Global Entry and NEXUS , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening at ports of entry .
( TSA PreCheck is not affected . )
Cuccinelli said the New York law makes it more difficult for federal law enforcement officers to determine whether they 're dealing with dangerous criminals .
`` Obviously , we would urge New York to undo that law and to restore some sanity to its own attempts to help preserve public safety , '' he said .
And he said the move represents a warning for any state legislators elsewhere who are considering following in New York 's footsteps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Cuccinelli said .
`` But at least know that if you go down that path , you are cutting their citizens off from a variety of privileges that currently exist and are available to those citizens . ''
A spokesman for New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who signed the state law in June , described the Trump administration 's move as `` political retaliation '' and said the state is considering its legal options .
The Democratic governor , in an interview with member station WAMC , noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure — did not direct concerns to state officials privately before going public with the suspension .
Cuomo says they did not receive a warning before the administration wrote them a letter Wednesday announcing the suspension .
`` They never called .
They never had a conversation .
They sent a letter .
They immediately did a press release and a press call , '' Cuomo told WAMC .
`` They want to make their political point — which is that they 're anti-immigrant , New York is supporting immigrants and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Cuomo added .
`` And if they have to inconvenience New Yorkers to make their political points , so be it , because they 're all about the politics . ''
In a statement released Thursday , the state 's attorney general , Letitia James , pointed out that more than a dozen other states and the District of Columbia share similar laws .
As for New York itself , the top prosecutor vowed that the state `` will not back down . ''
`` New Yorkers , '' James said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullied by an authoritarian thug . ''

Trump Administration Suspends New Yorkers From Trusted Traveler Programs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Updated at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 7
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will no longer allow New York state residents to enroll in programs intended to expedite international travel because of a state law that blocks immigration authorities from accessing motor vehicle records.
New York's "Green Light" law, which took effect in December, allows immigrants in the country illegally to apply for driver's licenses. More than a dozen other states do the same. But New York's law goes further: It prohibits officials with the state's DMV from sharing information with immigration authorities, unless a judge orders them to.
Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary at DHS, told reporters on a conference call Thursday that the state law was "dangerous — really thoughtless in terms of unintended consequences."
"President Trump certainly made it clear that if sanctuary city politicians — and sanctuary state, as well — won't keep their people safe, we'll do the best we can to keep them safe," Cuccinelli said.
He said his department has suspended all applications and renewals connected with several of its Trusted Traveler programs, such as Global Entry and NEXUS, which are designed to facilitate and speed up security screening at ports of entry. (TSA PreCheck is not affected.)
Cuccinelli said the New York law makes it more difficult for federal law enforcement officers to determine whether they're dealing with dangerous criminals. "Obviously, we would urge New York to undo that law and to restore some sanity to its own attempts to help preserve public safety," he said.
And he said the move represents a warning for any state legislators elsewhere who are considering following in New York's footsteps.
"We would urge them to reconsider," Cuccinelli said. "But at least know that if you go down that path, you are cutting their citizens off from a variety of privileges that currently exist and are available to those citizens."
A spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who signed the state law in June, described the Trump administration's move as "political retaliation" and said the state is considering its legal options.
The Democratic governor, in an interview with member station WAMC, noted that the Trump administration — contrary to usual procedure — did not direct concerns to state officials privately before going public with the suspension. Cuomo says they did not receive a warning before the administration wrote them a letter Wednesday announcing the suspension.
"They never called. They never had a conversation. They sent a letter. They immediately did a press release and a press call," Cuomo told WAMC.
"They want to make their political point — which is that they're anti-immigrant, New York is supporting immigrants and this is another way to make their political points," Cuomo added.
"And if they have to inconvenience New Yorkers to make their political points, so be it, because they're all about the politics."
In a statement released Thursday, the state's attorney general, Letitia James, pointed out that more than a dozen other states and the District of Columbia share similar laws. As for New York itself, the top prosecutor vowed that the state "will not back down."
"New Yorkers," James said, "will not be targeted or bullied by an authoritarian thug."
But DHS officials pointed to the difference with New York's law.
"Only one state cut off information sharing" with immigration authorities "& that's New York," DHS Press Secretary Heather Swift wrote in a Tweet. "Rather than resist, resist, resist, we welcome cooperation & coordination, like we've had since the Department's founding post 9/11."
The dispute threatens to damage relations between law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels, says Theresa Cardinal Brown, an expert on immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
"DHS does have valid concerns with the severe and categorical restriction on access to DMV data in the NY state law," Brown tweeted.
But she also criticized the Trump administration for taking the debate public, instead of negotiating with New York state officials in private.
"Everyone loses in this scenario," Brown wrote. "Valid law enforcement interactions are restricted in the name of one particular policy or political aim. Meanwhile otherwise law abiding residents, regardless of immigration status, are caught in the cross-fire between levels of govt."


npr--2020-02-06--Colombia's FARC Rebels Laid Down Their Weapons, But A Growing Number Are Being Killed

Colombia 's FARC Rebels Laid Down Their Weapons , But A Growing Number Are Being Killed On the green slopes of the Andes Mountains in northern Colombia , farmers are raising chickens , goats and cows and tending to corn crops .
It 's a striking change from their previous occupation : battling government troops as members of a Marxist guerrilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia , the FARC .
Thousands of guerrillas laid down their weapons under an historic 2016 peace agreement that ended 52 years of fighting .
Among its many provisions is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprisals to ex-FARC fighters .
But many former rebels say their postwar lives are anything but peaceful .
Over the past three years , 181 demobilized FARC guerrillas have been killed in suspected reprisals or other score-settling attacks , as drug gangs and others jostle for territory and influence .
Twelve of them were farmers who worked at this agricultural cooperative near the Andes town of Santa Lucía , set up by the government to help about 100 former rebels transition to civilian life .
Juan de Diós Quintero is a former rebel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face pocked with bullet scars after 30 years of fighting .
Even he is scared .
The killings `` have generated a lot of anxiety , '' Quintero says as he leans on a wooden fence while inspecting a herd of goats .
`` We are very worried . ''
The death toll so far in Colombia amounts to a tiny fraction of the 13,000 FARC guerrillas who disarmed , and analysts point out that in countries transitioning from war to peace , former fighters are often targeted in revenge killings .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations team monitoring Colombia 's peace process , warns that such attacks are on the rise and says the government `` need [ s ] to do a better job . ''
In 2017 , the first year after the peace treaty was signed , 31 former rebels were killed .
That number more than doubled to 65 in 2018 and jumped to 77 last year .
`` 2019 was the worst year in terms of violence against ex-combatants , '' Ruíz tells NPR .
`` And unfortunately , 2020 is not starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed so far this year .
Some killings have been blamed on Colombians bitter about the many kidnappings and massacres carried out by FARC guerrillas during a half-century of civil war .
Last month , Colombian authorities arrested a retired army colonel and four soldiers for their alleged participation in the 2019 shooting death of Dimar Torres , a former FARC guerrilla .
The Defense Ministry initially called the shooting an accident , but evidence emerged that before the shooting , the soldiers had been digging a clandestine grave for Torres .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trafficking gangs that have gained control over rural areas that were once dominated by guerrillas .
These groups try to recruit former rebels and sometimes kill those who refuse to join .
`` There are old scores to settle .
There is competition for territorial control .
There may be refusals to be recruited , '' said Adam Isacson , an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America think tank .
`` The killings do n't really follow a pattern , except that they happen in places strategic for the drug trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads the Bogotá-based Ideas for Peace Foundation think tank , says since the peace treaty was signed , Colombian army and police have provided only a token presence in former war zones where former guerrillas have resettled .
Security , she says , is deteriorating .
Divisions among the former guerrillas are also driving the violence .
Analysts say that about 1,500 who initially laid down their weapons have rearmed and are trying to sabotage the peace process .
Last month , Colombian security forces said they killed two suspects linked to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assassinate Rodrigo Londoño , the FARC 's former top commander .
Londoño now heads the FARC 's left-wing political party , founded after the peace accord was signed .
He briefly ran for president last year and continues to strongly support the peace process .
In an interview with NPR , Londoño referred to the failed plot against him by his former comrades as `` sad '' and `` unfortunate . ''
Still , he pins most of the blame for the rising death toll on the government for failing to protect former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is willing to comply with its promises in the peace accord , '' he says .
`` As long as they do n't do that , things will be very difficult . ''
Indeed , critics contend that Colombian President Iván Duque has shown little interest in the peace treaty signed by his predecessor , Juan Manuel Santos , who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize .
But the government insists otherwise .
At a recent news conference , Emilio Archila , the main government official overseeing the return of former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be `` no doubt '' that their safety is a top Duque administration priority .
Army and police units guard the 24 government-sponsored sites around Colombia , including the co-op near Santa Lucia , where former guerrillas are reintegrating into civilian life .
The government also provides bodyguards for high-ranking former rebels .
But most have no official protection and many have been killed after they ventured outside the resettlement zones .
At the farm co-op near Santa Lucía , there is a growing sense of dread .
After one of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot dead late last month , the FARC political party and the government agreed to evacuate most of the people living here — ex-guerrillas and family members — to a safer area .
Among them is Yerlis Ballesteros .
After spending 18 years as a FARC guerrilla fighter , she has been raising her two children at the co-op .
Now she 's anxious to get out .
`` It 's really tough for our family to go to bed at night , '' she says , `` fearing that some armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Colombia's FARC Rebels Laid Down Their Weapons, But A Growing Number Are Being Killed
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Otis for NPR John Otis for NPR
On the green slopes of the Andes Mountains in northern Colombia, farmers are raising chickens, goats and cows and tending to corn crops. It's a striking change from their previous occupation: battling government troops as members of a Marxist guerrilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the FARC.
Thousands of guerrillas laid down their weapons under an historic 2016 peace agreement that ended 52 years of fighting. Among its many provisions is one requiring that the government provide protection from reprisals to ex-FARC fighters.
But many former rebels say their postwar lives are anything but peaceful.
Over the past three years, 181 demobilized FARC guerrillas have been killed in suspected reprisals or other score-settling attacks, as drug gangs and others jostle for territory and influence. Twelve of them were farmers who worked at this agricultural cooperative near the Andes town of Santa Lucía, set up by the government to help about 100 former rebels transition to civilian life.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Otis for NPR John Otis for NPR
Juan de Diós Quintero is a former rebel commander turned farmer with a body and face pocked with bullet scars after 30 years of fighting. Even he is scared.
The killings "have generated a lot of anxiety," Quintero says as he leans on a wooden fence while inspecting a herd of goats. "We are very worried."
The death toll so far in Colombia amounts to a tiny fraction of the 13,000 FARC guerrillas who disarmed, and analysts point out that in countries transitioning from war to peace, former fighters are often targeted in revenge killings.
But Carlos Ruíz, who heads a United Nations team monitoring Colombia's peace process, warns that such attacks are on the rise and says the government "need[s] to do a better job."
In 2017, the first year after the peace treaty was signed, 31 former rebels were killed. That number more than doubled to 65 in 2018 and jumped to 77 last year.
"2019 was the worst year in terms of violence against ex-combatants," Ruíz tells NPR. "And unfortunately, 2020 is not starting differently." Eight ex-FARC rebels have been killed so far this year.
Some killings have been blamed on Colombians bitter about the many kidnappings and massacres carried out by FARC guerrillas during a half-century of civil war.
Last month, Colombian authorities arrested a retired army colonel and four soldiers for their alleged participation in the 2019 shooting death of Dimar Torres, a former FARC guerrilla. The Defense Ministry initially called the shooting an accident, but evidence emerged that before the shooting, the soldiers had been digging a clandestine grave for Torres.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images
In other cases, authorities blame drug trafficking gangs that have gained control over rural areas that were once dominated by guerrillas. These groups try to recruit former rebels and sometimes kill those who refuse to join.
"There are old scores to settle. There is competition for territorial control. There may be refusals to be recruited," said Adam Isacson, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America think tank. "The killings don't really follow a pattern, except that they happen in places strategic for the drug trade."
María Victoria Llorente, who heads the Bogotá-based Ideas for Peace Foundation think tank, says since the peace treaty was signed, Colombian army and police have provided only a token presence in former war zones where former guerrillas have resettled. Security, she says, is deteriorating.
Divisions among the former guerrillas are also driving the violence. Analysts say that about 1,500 who initially laid down their weapons have rearmed and are trying to sabotage the peace process.
Last month, Colombian security forces said they killed two suspects linked to a rearmed FARC faction who were plotting to assassinate Rodrigo Londoño, the FARC's former top commander. Londoño now heads the FARC's left-wing political party, founded after the peace accord was signed. He briefly ran for president last year and continues to strongly support the peace process.
In an interview with NPR, Londoño referred to the failed plot against him by his former comrades as "sad" and "unfortunate." Still, he pins most of the blame for the rising death toll on the government for failing to protect former rebels.
"We need a government that is willing to comply with its promises in the peace accord," he says. "As long as they don't do that, things will be very difficult."
Indeed, critics contend that Colombian President Iván Duque has shown little interest in the peace treaty signed by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.
But the government insists otherwise. At a recent news conference, Emilio Archila, the main government official overseeing the return of former guerrillas to civilian life, said there should be "no doubt" that their safety is a top Duque administration priority.
Army and police units guard the 24 government-sponsored sites around Colombia, including the co-op near Santa Lucia, where former guerrillas are reintegrating into civilian life. The government also provides bodyguards for high-ranking former rebels. But most have no official protection and many have been killed after they ventured outside the resettlement zones.
At the farm co-op near Santa Lucía, there is a growing sense of dread. After one of its members, former guerrilla Darío Herrera, was shot dead late last month, the FARC political party and the government agreed to evacuate most of the people living here — ex-guerrillas and family members — to a safer area.
Among them is Yerlis Ballesteros. After spending 18 years as a FARC guerrilla fighter, she has been raising her two children at the co-op. Now she's anxious to get out.
"It's really tough for our family to go to bed at night," she says, "fearing that some armed group could come after us."


npr--2020-02-06--China Will Cut Tariffs In Half On $75 Billion Of U.S. Products

China Will Cut Tariffs In Half On $ 75 Billion Of U.S. Products China is slicing tariffs on $ 75 billion worth of U.S. products , Chinese government news agencies report .
The move is in reciprocation for the Trump administration 's plan , announced last month , to halve tariffs on about $ 112 billion in Chinese goods .
The tariff cuts , both slated to take effect on Feb. 14 , are the latest sign that the trade war between the world 's largest economies is easing .
China will drop 10 % tariffs on some U.S. goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall to 2.5 % from 5 % , according to China Daily , which cited a statement from China 's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council .
The shift comes three weeks after President Trump signed what the White House calls `` Phase 1 '' of a trade truce with China , in which he agreed to lower some of the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods .
The deal also calls for China to buy more U.S. goods and services , at a rate of $ 200 billion over the next two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China increased tariffs in September , when President Trump 's tariffs on more than $ 100 billion of Chinese imports took effect .
Since then , both sides have canceled or cut tariffs on billions of dollars ' worth of products .
`` To ease economic and trade tensions and expand cooperation , the Chinese side decided to adjust related measures accordingly , '' an unidentified official from China 's Ministry of Finance said Thursday , according to state-run news outlets .
The official added , `` It is our hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing all additional tariffs . ''

China Will Cut Tariffs In Half On $75 Billion Of U.S. Products
China is slicing tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. products, Chinese government news agencies report. The move is in reciprocation for the Trump administration's plan, announced last month, to halve tariffs on about $112 billion in Chinese goods.
The tariff cuts, both slated to take effect on Feb. 14, are the latest sign that the trade war between the world's largest economies is easing.
China will drop 10% tariffs on some U.S. goods to 5%; other tariffs will fall to 2.5% from 5%, according to China Daily, which cited a statement from China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.
The shift comes three weeks after President Trump signed what the White House calls "Phase 1" of a trade truce with China, in which he agreed to lower some of the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.
The deal also calls for China to buy more U.S. goods and services, at a rate of $200 billion over the next two years, compared with 2017 trade levels.
China increased tariffs in September, when President Trump's tariffs on more than $100 billion of Chinese imports took effect. Since then, both sides have canceled or cut tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of products.
"To ease economic and trade tensions and expand cooperation, the Chinese side decided to adjust related measures accordingly," an unidentified official from China's Ministry of Finance said Thursday, according to state-run news outlets.
The official added, "It is our hope that both sides will work together toward ultimately removing all additional tariffs."


npr--2020-02-07--White House Says Al-Qaida Leader Qassim Al-Rimi Killed In U.S. Operation

White House Says Al-Qaida Leader Qassim Al-Rimi Killed In U.S. Operation President Trump on Thursday announced a successful U.S. counterterrorism operation that killed Qassim al-Rimi , the leader of a Yemen-based al-Qaida affiliate who claimed responsibility for last year 's deadly shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida .
In a brief White House statement released late Thursday , the president said he had ordered the operation in Yemen `` that successfully eliminated Qasim al-Rimi , a founder and leader of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP ) and a deputy to al-Qa'ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a week ago by The New York Times , in an article attributing the information to three current and former U.S. officials , who said he had been killed in a U.S. airstrike .
Trump himself appeared to confirm the operation when he re-tweeted an article citing the Times ' original reporting on Sunday .
The newspaper reported that the strike took place last month , but the White House statement did not provide any details of the operation or its timing .
Al-Rimi , a Yemeni national , reportedly served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Osama bin Laden , who was himself killed in a U.S. raid in Pakistan in 2011 .
Al-Rimi later went on to co-found AQAP , a merging of al-Qaida 's Yemeni and Saudi branches that has long been considered the most dangerous branch of the al-Qaida network .
He assumed the leadership of the organization after the 2015 killing of Nasir al-Wuhayshi in a U.S. drone strike .
Al-Rimi has been accused of attacks on U.S. targets dating back to 2008 and the State Department was offering $ 10 million for information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a top recruiter for al-Qaida and considered a possible successor to al-Zawahiri .
Last Sunday , al-Qaida released an audiotape statement by al-Rimi , who claimed his group was behind the Dec. 6 shooting at the Pensacola base , where a Saudi aviation trainee killed three U.S. sailors .
U.S. officials have not said whether they give credence to the claim .
In February 2017 , shortly after Trump took office , he ordered a raid that was reportedly aimed at al-Rimi .
A U.S. Navy SEAL and 23 civilians were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed in the raid in Yemen .
However , the White House described the operation as a success because 14 al-Qaida militants were reportedly killed .
At the time , administration critics , including Sen. John McCain , called the raid an embarrassing failure .

White House Says Al-Qaida Leader Qassim Al-Rimi Killed In U.S. Operation
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yemeni Ministry of Interior/AFP via Getty Images Yemeni Ministry of Interior/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump on Thursday announced a successful U.S. counterterrorism operation that killed Qassim al-Rimi, the leader of a Yemen-based al-Qaida affiliate who claimed responsibility for last year's deadly shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.
In a brief White House statement released late Thursday, the president said he had ordered the operation in Yemen "that successfully eliminated Qasim al-Rimi, a founder and leader of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and a deputy to al-Qa'ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri."
Rimi's death was first reported more than a week ago by The New York Times, in an article attributing the information to three current and former U.S. officials who said he had been killed in a U.S. airstrike. Trump appeared to confirm the operation when he retweeted an article citing the Times' original reporting on Sunday.
The newspaper reported that the strike took place last month, but the White House statement did not provide any details of the operation or its timing.
Rimi, a Yemeni national, reportedly served as a top lieutenant in Afghanistan to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a U.S. raid in Pakistan in 2011.
Rimi later went on to co-found AQAP, a merging of al-Qaida's Yemeni and Saudi branches that has long been considered the most dangerous branch of the al-Qaida network. He assumed the leadership of the organization after the 2015 killing of Nasir al-Wuhayshi in a U.S. drone strike.
Rimi has been accused of attacks on U.S. targets dating back to 2008 and the State Department was offering $10 million for information on his whereabouts. He was seen as a top recruiter for al-Qaida and considered a possible successor to Zawahiri.
Last Sunday, al-Qaida released an audiotape statement by Rimi, who claimed his group was behind the Dec. 6 shooting at the Pensacola base, where a Saudi aviation trainee killed three U.S. sailors.
U.S. officials have not said whether they give credence to the claim.
In February 2017, shortly after Trump took office, he ordered a raid that was reportedly aimed at Rimi. A U.S. Navy SEAL and 23 civilians were killed and a $90 million Osprey aircraft destroyed in the raid in Yemen. However, the White House described the operation as a success because 14 al-Qaida militants were reportedly killed.
At the time, administration critics, including Sen. John McCain, called the raid an embarrassing failure.
NPR's national security correspondent Greg Myre contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-07--China To Investigate After Whistleblower Doctor Dies From Coronavirus

China To Investigate After Whistleblower Doctor Dies From Coronavirus China says it has launched an investigation into `` issues '' related to the death on Friday of a doctor whose early efforts to alert his colleagues to the dangers of a new coronavirus were quashed by authorities .
Meanwhile , President Trump spoke with China 's leader Xi Jinping to discuss the coronavirus epidemic , which has rapidly gone global since it began in China in December .
Dr. Li Wenliang , an ophthalmologist working in Wuhan , the Chinese city where the epidemic originated , died on Friday local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and treated for coronavirus infection .
Li , 34 , had first sought to warn his college classmates in the medical profession of the disease in late December .
Using the popular Chinese social media platform WeChat , Li wrote that he had become aware of several cases similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome , or SARS , another coronavirus that killed nearly 800 people in a 2002-2003 outbreak that Beijing initially tried to cover up .
However , within days , local police paid him a visit and reprimanded him for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 3 , a copy of which has circulated online in China , in which he acknowledges making `` false statements . ''
`` This is a type of illegal behavior ! ''
the statement said , according to The Associated Press .
Days later , Li himself was hospitalized with coronavirus infection .
After the announcement of his death Friday , China 's National Supervisory Commission , the country 's top anti-corruption body , said it would send a team to Wuhan to `` thoroughly investigate issues related to Dr. Li Wenliang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agency .
The report did not specify what exactly would be investigated , but it comes within a broader context of growing criticism of Beijing for its handling of the crisis .
China was initially praised for being quicker to seek international help than it did during the SARS outbreak ; however , in recent days it has become more clear that in the initial phase of the epidemic , authorities may have been less than transparent .
Li is one of several whistleblowers in the medical profession who tried to sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by authorities in the crucial first weeks of the outbreak .
News of his death on Weibo , China 's equivalent of Twitter , sparked an outpouring of sympathy and rare expressions of anger at authorities , according to the South China Morning Post .
At latest count , the 2019-nCoV virus has infected 31,426 people worldwide and killed 638 .
Although the vast majority of infections and all but one death have occurred inside China , worldwide concern about the virus ' spread has caused authorities across the globe to evacuate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine arriving passengers .
While the new coronavirus , which can cause a form of pneumonia , has a relatively low mortality rate compared to SARS or even the seasonal flu , scientists are concerned that since it presents with only mild symptoms in many people that it might spread easily and then mutate into a more lethal strain .
Trump and Xi , during their phone call , discussed China 's efforts to contain the outbreak , according to a summary provided by Xinhua .
It said president Xi told Trump that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , calling the effort a `` people 's war '' against the epidemic .
Beijing has repeatedly criticized Washington 's decision to temporarily close the U.S. consulate in Wuhan and to evacuate its diplomats from the city .
The U.S. has also decided to bar any foreign nationals from entering the U.S. if they have been to China in the last 14 days .
The State Department has also raised its travel alert for China to the highest level .
Late Thursday , the Department of Defense issued a statement saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department chartered flights from Wuhan with 300 passengers who will be placed in a two-week quarantine once they arrive in the United States .
One is scheduled to refuel at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco , then continue to Omaha , Nebraska , via Lackland Air Force Base .
The second is heading for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego , via Vancouver , B.C .

China To Investigate After Whistleblower Doctor Dies From Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images
China says it has launched an investigation into "issues" related to the death on Friday of a doctor whose early efforts to alert his colleagues to the dangers of a new coronavirus were quashed by authorities.
Meanwhile, President Trump spoke with China's leader Xi Jinping to discuss the coronavirus epidemic, which has rapidly gone global since it began in China in December.
Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist working in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the epidemic originated, died on Friday local time, weeks after he was hospitalized and treated for a coronavirus infection.
Li, 34, had first sought to warn his college classmates in the medical profession of the disease in late December. Using the popular Chinese social media platform WeChat, Li wrote that he had become aware of several cases similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, another coronavirus that killed nearly 800 people in a 2002-2003 outbreak that Beijing initially tried to cover up.
However, within days, local police paid him a visit and reprimanded him for the posts. He signed a statement on Jan. 3, a copy of which has circulated online in China, in which he acknowledges making "false statements."
"This is a type of illegal behavior!" the statement said.
Days later, Li was hospitalized with a coronavirus infection.
After the announcement of his death Friday, China's National Supervisory Commission, the country's top anti-corruption body, said it would send a team to Wuhan to "thoroughly investigate issues related to Dr. Li Wenliang," according to the official Xinhua news agency.
The report did not specify what exactly would be investigated, but it comes within a broader context of growing criticism of Beijing for its handling of the crisis. China was initially praised for being quicker to seek international help than it did during the SARS outbreak; however, in recent days it has become more clear that in the initial phase of the epidemic, authorities may have been less than transparent.
Li is one of several whistleblowers in the medical profession who tried to sound the alarm but were apparently shut down by authorities in the crucial first weeks of the outbreak. News of his death on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, sparked an outpouring of sympathy and rare expressions of anger at authorities, according to the South China Morning Post.
At the latest count, the 2019-nCoV virus has infected 31,426 people worldwide and killed 638. Although the vast majority of infections and all but one death have occurred inside China, worldwide concern about the virus' spread has caused authorities around the globe to evacuate their personnel from China, cancel flights and quarantine arriving passengers.
While the new coronavirus, which can cause a form of pneumonia, has a relatively low mortality rate compared to SARS or even the seasonal flu, scientists are concerned that since it presents with only mild symptoms in many people that it might spread easily and then mutate into a more lethal strain.
Trump and Xi, during their phone call, discussed China's efforts to contain the outbreak, according to a summary provided by Xinhua. It said Xi told Trump that no effort had been spared to combat the virus, calling the effort a "people's war" against the epidemic.
Beijing has repeatedly criticized Washington's decision to temporarily close the U.S. consulate in Wuhan and to evacuate its diplomats from the city. The U.S. has also decided to bar any foreign nationals from entering the U.S. if they have been to China in the past 14 days. The State Department has also raised its travel alert for China to the highest level.
Late Thursday, the Department of Defense issued a statement saying it was preparing to receive two State Department-chartered flights from Wuhan with 300 passengers who will be placed in a two-week quarantine once they arrive in the United States. One is scheduled to refuel at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco, then continue to Omaha, Neb., via Lackland Air Force Base. The second is heading for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego via Vancouver, British Columbia.


npr--2020-02-07--Iowa Keeps Getting Messier: 5 Takeaways From The Caucuses' Near-Tie

Iowa Keeps Getting Messier : 5 Takeaways From The Caucuses ' Near-Tie At this point , it 's pretty much time to move on .
The New Hampshire primary is days away , and the results out of the Iowa Democratic caucuses are still in question .
The Associated Press , which NPR and lots of other news organizations rely on to call winners and losers , said it will not be calling the race at this point , despite all votes being in , because of irregularities in the vote count .
`` [ T ] here is evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its results , including those released late Thursday that the party reported as complete , '' the AP said Thursday night , as the final results rolled in .
The Iowa mess may continue , but as the political world 's focus shifts to New Hampshire , we can say this – Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are in a virtual tie in Iowa ; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren finished third , several points behind ; and former Vice President Joe Biden was fourth , with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from those results : 1 .
Buttigieg and Sanders did not get to bask in the moment The impact of the Iowa mess is clearly biggest on Buttigieg .
Look at it this way – when this campaign began people could n't pronounce his name ; he was far down in the polls ; and he 's gay .
Yet Buttigieg finished in a virtual tie with Sanders , who is as well-known a politician as anyone in the country .
Of the two , Buttigieg most needed an Iowa good-news bounce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiasco which sucked up all the oxygen in the political room .
Sanders , too , lost the opportunity for days of good press and headlines .
What that means for either candidate going into a state that can reinforce or reset a previous electoral result is unclear .
For what it 's worth , a Monmouth University Poll out Thursday showed Sanders leading in New Hampshire followed by Buttigieg .
Biden is on the decline .
( More on that below . )
There was a point not long ago when Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sealed up .
And then Medicare for All tripped her up .
Her lack of a plan did n't seem bold enough for the Sanders left , and her theme of `` fighting '' Republicans made some moderates nervous she could n't win in a general election .
Warren really needs a win in New Hampshire , and that means either actually winning the primary or at least finishing ahead of Sanders .
They 're competing in the progressive lane , and if she again finishes behind Sanders , it 's tough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa is not representative of the country and , yes , a major part of Biden 's base is African American voters and there are n't many in Iowa .
But there 's no excuse for finishing fourth .
Biden himself called the result a `` gut punch '' Thursday in New Hampshire .
Entrance polls showed 56 % of the caucus-goers identified as moderates .
And Biden was at or near the top in Iowa polls coming in .
But instead of the lion 's share of the moderate vote going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Buttigieg , Biden and Klobuchar , who finished only a few points behind the former vice president .
What 's more , Klobuchar outpaced her polling and was definitely on the upswing in the last weekend .
She had big crowds and was on the tips of the tongues of lots of moderate voters in Iowa .
Biden has no one to blame but himself for the finish .
Even people at Biden events , who thought they might end up with him , thought he seemed unsteady and that his message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recognizing the threat Buttigieg and Sanders are to his nomination , Biden started going after their vulnerabilities head-on Thursday in New Hampshire .
Biden called Buttigieg a `` risk '' and questioned his experience , stressing he 's only been mayor of a city with a small population .
And he said President Trump will use Sanders ' identifying as a democratic socialist to go after every Democrat up and down the ballot as radical leftists .
Biden needs a stronger finish in New Hampshire to retain his strong support among black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its contest Feb. 29 .
He ca n't afford to see his support with African Americans eroded and hope to be a strong nominee going into the convention .
South Carolina is a must-win state for Biden , and he has to win it big .
Campaigns were expecting high turnout in Iowa , but it did n't happen – and that has to be worrying for Democrats .
The closing campaign events were all packed .
And yet , turnout was more on par with 2016 than the record-setting 2008 campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was 171,000 in 2016 , and 239,000 in 2008 .
It very well may be that undecided voters stayed home and are fine with whoever wins .
But Democrats were hoping to show just how enthusiastic their base is to turn out and beat President Trump .
In this first contest , it did n't happen .
5 .
Sanders is in the pole position for the nomination , but did n't help his electability argument The Sanders campaign points to polls showing that he beats Trump in a general election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance in Iowa did n't help make his case .
Sanders promised turnout would be north of 239,000 .
It was n't .
And he did n't turn out new voters .
In fact , the percentage of first-time caucus-goers went down this year , even compared to 2016 .
In 2008 , the percentage of first-time caucus-goers was 57 % ; in 2016 , it was 44 % ; this year , it was just 35 % .
Sanders has a massive base of support with voters under 30 , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders won the raw-vote total , but losing in rural areas cost him delegates .
Sanders ' votes came from urban areas and college towns .
That 's not where Democrats need to show strength .
So with moderates splitting the vote , and Sanders beating out Warren in Iowa , he looks stronger today for the nomination than he did before Iowa , but he did n't do much to help his argument that he 's best to beat Trump .

Iowa Keeps Getting Messier: 5 Takeaways From The Caucuses' Near-Tie
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
At this point, it's pretty much time to move on.
The New Hampshire primary is days away, and the results out of the Iowa Democratic caucuses are still in question.
The Associated Press, which NPR and lots of other news organizations rely on to call winners and losers, said it will not be calling the race at this point, despite all votes being in, because of irregularities in the vote count.
"[T]here is evidence the party has not accurately tabulated some of its results, including those released late Thursday that the party reported as complete," the AP said Thursday night, as the final results rolled in.
The Iowa mess may continue, but as the political world's focus shifts to New Hampshire, we can say this — Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are in a virtual tie in Iowa; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren finished third, several points behind; and former Vice President Joe Biden was fourth, with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on his heels.
And here are five takeaways from those results:
1. Buttigieg and Sanders did not get to bask in the moment.
The impact of the Iowa mess is clearly biggest on Buttigieg. Look at it this way — when this campaign began, people couldn't pronounce his name; he was far down in the polls; and he's gay. Yet Buttigieg finished in a virtual tie with Sanders, who is as well-known a politician as anyone in the country.
Of the two, Buttigieg most needed an Iowa good-news bounce. That was denied him by the results fiasco that sucked up all the oxygen in the political room. Sanders, too, lost the opportunity for days of good press and headlines.
What that means for either candidate going into a state that can reinforce or reset a previous electoral result is unclear. For what it's worth, a Monmouth University poll out Thursday showed Sanders leading in New Hampshire, followed by Buttigieg. Biden is on the decline (more on that below).
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
2. Warren needs a win.
There was a point not long ago when Warren looked like she might have the nomination sealed up. And then "Medicare for All" tripped her up. Her lack of a plan didn't seem bold enough for the Sanders left, and her theme of "fighting" Republicans made some moderates nervous she couldn't win in a general election.
Warren really needs a win in New Hampshire, and that means either actually winning the primary or at least finishing ahead of Sanders. They're competing in the progressive lane, and if she again finishes behind Sanders, it's tough to see how Warren recovers.
3. Biden's finish was, indeed, a "gut punch."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elise Amendola/AP Elise Amendola/AP
Sure, Iowa is not representative of the country. And, yes, a major part of Biden's base is African American voters and there aren't many in Iowa. But there's no excuse for finishing fourth. Biden himself called the result a "gut punch" Thursday in New Hampshire.
Entrance polls showed 56% of the caucusgoers identified as moderates. And Biden was at or near the top in Iowa polls coming in. But instead of the lion's share of the moderate vote going to Biden, it wound up being split between Buttigieg, Biden and Klobuchar, who finished only a few points behind the former vice president. What's more, Klobuchar outpaced her polling and was definitely on the upswing in the last weekend. She had big crowds and was on the tips of the tongues of lots of moderate voters in Iowa.
Biden has no one to blame but himself for the finish. Even people at Biden events, who thought they might end up with him, thought he seemed unsteady and that his message was muddled — and many went elsewhere.
Recognizing the threat Buttigieg and Sanders are to his nomination, Biden started going after their vulnerabilities head-on Thursday in New Hampshire. Biden called Buttigieg a "risk" and questioned his experience, stressing he's only been mayor of a city with a small population. And he said President Trump will use Sanders' identifying as a democratic socialist to go after every Democrat up and down the ballot as radical leftists.
Biden needs a stronger finish in New Hampshire to retain his strong support among black voters in South Carolina, which holds its contest Feb. 29. He can't afford to see his support with African Americans eroded and hope to be a strong nominee going into the convention. South Carolina is a must-win state for Biden, and he has to win it big.
4. Turnout was underwhelming — a bad sign for Democrats.
Campaigns were expecting high turnout in Iowa, but it didn't happen — and that has to be worrying for Democrats.
The closing campaign events were all packed. Yet turnout was more on par with 2016 than the record-setting 2008 campaign. About 172,000 turned out this year. It was 171,000 in 2016, and 239,000 in 2008.
It very well may be that undecided voters stayed home and are fine with whoever wins. But Democrats were hoping to show just how enthusiastic their base is to turn out and beat President Trump.
In this first contest, it didn't happen.
5. Sanders is in the pole position for the nomination but didn't help his electability argument.
The Sanders campaign points to polls showing that he beats Trump in a general election. And that's true.
But his performance in Iowa didn't help make his case. Sanders promised turnout would be north of 239,000. It wasn't. And he didn't turn out new voters. In fact, the percentage of first-time caucusgoers went down this year, even compared to 2016. In 2008, the percentage of first-time caucusgoers was 57%; in 2016, it was 44%; this year, it was just 35%.
Sanders has a massive base of support with voters under 30, but he didn't appear to expand beyond that. Sanders won the raw-vote total, but losing in rural areas cost him delegates. Sanders' votes came from urban areas and college towns. That's not where Democrats need to show strength.
So with moderates splitting the vote, and Sanders beating out Warren in Iowa, he looks stronger today for the nomination than he did before Iowa, but he didn't do much to help his argument that he's best to beat Trump.


npr--2020-02-07--A Moon Landing In 2024? NASA Says It'll Happen, Others Say: No Way

A Moon Landing In 2024 ?
NASA Says It 'll Happen , Others Say : No Way NASA is at a critical juncture in its push to get people back to the moon by 2024 , with key decisions expected within weeks .
This effort to meet an ambitious deadline set by the Trump administration last year faces widespread skepticism in the aerospace community , even as the new head of human spaceflight at NASA insists that it can succeed .
No one has been to the moon since 1972 , even though , back in 2004 , then-President George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for NASA , including a `` return to the moon by 2020 as the launching point for missions beyond . ''
A lot has happened in the intervening years and former President Barack Obama had other priorities in space .
In March of 2019 , however , Vice President Pence announced that `` it is the stated policy of this administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the moon within the next five years . ''
That would mean a remarkable speedup for NASA , which had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In September , a member of Congress asked Ken Bowersox , who was the acting associate administrator for human exploration and operations at NASA , how confident he was that the U. S. would have boots on the moon by this new , earlier deadline .
`` How confident ? ''
replied Bowersox .
`` I would n't bet my oldest child 's upcoming birthday present or anything like that . ''
Soon after that hearing , however , NASA hired a new guy to lead human spaceflight : Doug Loverro .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see no reason why we ca n't make it , '' says Loverro .
`` I am highly confident we can make it . ''
Loverro is so conscious of the target date that he wears a little brass-colored lapel pin with a number on it .
Every day , he changes the pin and its number , so that it counts down the days to the end of 2024 .
`` To me , it means recognize the value of every day , '' says Loverro .
`` Every day we go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us one step closer to the moon . ''
He currently has a review underway to assess the status of NASA 's whole moon program , and says the results are due on Feb. 14 .
That review is looking at the big rocket NASA 's been building , which is almost finished — although it 's super expensive and years behind schedule .
NASA 's also got a new astronaut-carrying capsule that 's undergoing testing .
For a moon mission , one critical piece of hardware is missing — a lander .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up .
`` So that 's the piece that right now is the focus of 'How do we make sure we create a lander that we can develop and get to the moon in the next five years ? '
`` says Loverro , `` or , in this case , in four years and 11 months . ''
NASA says contracts to build a lunar lander could be awarded in late February or March .
However , other space industry experts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon so fast .
`` I do n't think that we 'll have a man or a woman on the moon in 2024 and I do n't know anyone who does , '' says Lori Garver , CEO of a nonprofit called Earthrise Alliance and a former deputy NASA administrator .
`` The space community would love to get contracts to go back to the moon and it does n't really bother anyone that they would get those contracts saying that they could do it in 2024 and not make the deadline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't made deadlines with these major space programs since Apollo . ''
The Apollo moon landing of the 1960s took about eight years to achieve , but NASA basically was n't doing anything else .
Political leaders were united behind the moonshot , and the race with the Soviet Union drove the timing , the budget and the willingness to take risk .
`` I do n't believe that the risk that would be required to get someone back to the moon in five years is anything this nation is ready to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that most people in the space community wo n't share their skepticism publicly .
`` People do n't want to acknowledge it , because most people are bought into the system and are making money off the system and this administration holds a grudge , '' she says .
`` It is n't a very popular thing to say , that the emperor has no clothes . ''
One retired NASA astronaut named Leroy Chiao , a former commander of the International Space Station , agrees that 2024 seems like a really long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is not likely , '' says Chiao , who notes that NASA has to deal with a lot of political considerations .
`` Why was 2024 chosen ?
Well , anyone can see that , with the election cycles and all that . ''
A moon landing in 2024 would mean a triumph during the last year of President Trump 's second term , if he gets reelected in November .
Chiao says he feels bad for folks at NASA headquarters .
He thinks they really want a moon landing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't think they 're just blowing smoke necessarily .
They 've set things up so that there 's a somewhat believable story that if the money shows up , they can do it if everything goes perfectly , '' says Chiao .
`` But we know from history that that does n't usually happen . ''
After all , rockets can blow up .
Technical tests can fail .
And Congress controls the budgets .
Not everyone there feels the same sense of urgency as the Trump administration .
A NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives would extend the moon landing deadline to 2028 .
`` I am more interested in maximizing the odds of success for this bold undertaking and making it as safe as any human journey into the deep space can be , than I am in having NASA meet arbitrary deadlines , '' said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson , a Democrat from Texas and the chairwoman of the U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Science , Space , and Technology , at a recent hearing .
And if someone besides Trump wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely have his or her own feelings about returning people to the moon .

A Moon Landing In 2024? NASA Says It'll Happen; Others Say: No Way
NASA is at a critical juncture in its push to get people back to the moon by 2024, with key decisions expected within weeks.
This effort to meet an ambitious deadline set by the Trump administration last year faces widespread skepticism in the aerospace community, even as the new head of human spaceflight at NASA insists that it can succeed.
No one has been to the moon since 1972, even though, back in 2004, then-President George W. Bush laid out several goals for NASA, including a "return to the moon by 2020 as the launching point for missions beyond."
A lot has happened in the intervening years, and former President Barack Obama had other priorities in space.
In March of 2019, however, Vice President Pence announced that "it is the stated policy of this administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the moon within the next five years."
That would mean a remarkable speedup for NASA, which had been working toward a moon landing in 2028. In September, a member of Congress asked Ken Bowersox, who was the acting associate administrator for human exploration and operations at NASA, how confident he was that the U. S. would have boots on the moon by this new, earlier deadline.
"How confident?" Bowersox replied. "I wouldn't bet my oldest child's upcoming birthday present or anything like that."
Soon after that hearing, however, NASA hired a new guy to lead human spaceflight: Doug Loverro. Loverro is more bullish.
"I see no reason why we can't make it," Loverro says. "I am highly confident we can make it."
Loverro is so conscious of the target date that he wears a little brass-colored lapel pin with a number on it. Every day, he changes the pin and its number, so that it counts down the days to the end of 2024. "To me, it means recognize the value of every day," Loverro says. "Every day we go ahead and can do something that puts us one step closer to the moon."
He currently has a review underway to assess the status of NASA's whole moon program and says the results are due on Feb. 14.
That review is looking at the big rocket NASA's been building, which is almost finished — although it's super expensive and years behind schedule. NASA's also got a new astronaut-carrying capsule that's undergoing testing.
For a moon mission, one critical piece of hardware is missing — a lander. NASA needs a spacecraft that can take people from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up.
"So that's the piece that right now is the focus of 'How do we make sure we create a lander that we can develop and get to the moon in the next five years?' " says Loverro, "or, in this case, in four years and 11 months."
NASA says contracts to build a lunar lander could be awarded in late February or March.
However, other space industry experts are doubtful that NASA can get to the moon so fast.
"I don't think that we'll have a man or a woman on the moon in 2024, and I don't know anyone who does," says Lori Garver, CEO of a nonprofit called Earthrise Alliance and a former deputy NASA administrator.
"The space community would love to get contracts to go back to the moon, and it doesn't really bother anyone that they would get those contracts saying that they could do it in 2024 and not make the deadline," Garver explains. "We haven't made deadlines with these major space programs since Apollo."
The Apollo moon landing of the 1960s took about eight years to achieve, but NASA basically wasn't doing anything else. Political leaders were united behind the moonshot, and the race with the Soviet Union drove the timing, the budget and the willingness to take risk.
"I don't believe that the risk that would be required to get someone back to the moon in five years is anything this nation is ready to do," says Garver, who notes that most people in the space community won't share their skepticism publicly.
"People don't want to acknowledge it, because most people are bought into the system and are making money off the system and this administration holds a grudge," she says. "It isn't a very popular thing to say, that the emperor has no clothes."
One retired NASA astronaut named Leroy Chiao, a former commander of the International Space Station, agrees that 2024 seems like a really long shot.
"My realistic assessment is that it is not likely," says Chiao, who notes that NASA has to deal with a lot of political considerations. "Why was 2024 chosen? Well, anyone can see that, with the election cycles and all that."
A moon landing in 2024 would mean a triumph during the last year of President Trump's second term, if he gets reelected in November.
Chiao says he feels bad for folks at NASA headquarters. He thinks they really want a moon landing and are doing everything they can.
"I don't think they're just blowing smoke necessarily. They've set things up so that there's a somewhat believable story that if the money shows up, they can do it if everything goes perfectly," Chiao says. "But we know from history that that doesn't usually happen."
After all, rockets can blow up. Technical tests can fail. And Congress controls the budgets. Not everyone there feels the same sense of urgency as the Trump administration. A NASA authorization bill just introduced into the House of Representatives would extend the moon landing deadline to 2028.
"I am more interested in maximizing the odds of success for this bold undertaking and making it as safe as any human journey into the deep space can be, than I am in having NASA meet arbitrary deadlines," Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson — a Democrat from Texas and the chairwoman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology — said at a recent hearing.
And if someone besides Trump wins in November, the new president will likely have his or her own feelings about returning people to the moon.


npr--2020-02-07--7 Candidates Debate In New Hampshire: Here's What You Need To Know

7 Candidates Debate In New Hampshire : Here 's What You Need To Know After a flawed Iowa caucus process , the Senate acquittal of President Trump , and a dramatic State of the Union address — all in the past five days — Friday night brings the eighth Democratic presidential debate .
Of the 11 candidates still running for president , only seven will take the debate stage in Manchester , N.H. , tonight at 8 p.m .
ET .
The debate comes a day after all the results finally came in from Iowa , but The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a winner .
That leaves a virtual tie in place between former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders — with Buttigieg leading by 0.1 % percent and Sanders holding more of the popular vote .
The delayed results dominated a sizable portion of the candidates ' week leading up to Friday 's debate — and unlike in previous election cycles where the winner of the Iowa caucuses takes the winning momentum into New Hampshire , the delays this year created an unprecedented feeling of collective victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders in particular heads into the New Hampshire debate as a solid front-runner , fresh off a strong but delayed Iowa-finish , $ 25 million raised in January alone , and a sizable lead in the Granite State polls .
Specifically — according to the RealClearPolitics average — Sanders tops New Hampshire polls at 26 % , followed by former Vice President Joe Biden ( 18 % ) , former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg ( 16 % ) , and Mass .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( 14 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 7 debate ?
Tonight 's debate features seven candidates — with one more candidate than last time — but still significantly less than the 20 featured in the first two sets of debates over the summer .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
How to watch the debate : The debate will begin at 8 p.m .
ET and is expected to end around 11 p.m .
ET .
It is co-hosted by ABC News , Apple News and WMUR-TV and will take place at Saint Anselm College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC , WMUR-TV and ABC affiliate channels .
It can also be accessed on ABC.com , the ABC mobile app , as well as TV streaming services , Roku , Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV .
NPR 's politics team will be providing live analysis and fact checks throughout the night at NPR.org .
Also , be sure to subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast for a post-debate recap .
The debate is being moderated by ABC chief anchor George Stephanopoulos , ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ABC moderators will be joined by WMUR 's Political Director Adam Sexton and anchor Monica Hernandez .
What has changed since the last debate on Jan. 14 ?
Jan. 17 The U.S-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement Passes in the Senate : The USMCA — a revised and updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement — was passed in the Senate 89-100 , marking a notable bipartisan moment in Congress and in the Trump administration .
Trump signed it on Jan. 29 .
Jan. 31 New Advertising Numbers Show Billionaire Presidential Candidates Massively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite lower polling numbers , businessmen Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer have dropped over $ 446 million nationwide on advertising .
The two candidates have outspent President Trump 's reelection campaign significantly — which has spent $ 52 million on ads .
Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses : A reporting issue with a new app caused a major delay in results .
As of Thursday evening , all precincts had finally reported , but no winner was declared .
Sanders and Buttigieg essentially tied .
Feb. 4 President Trump delivers his State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Congress , President Trump boasted about his administration 's work to strengthen the economy , decrease the cost of health care , revamp immigration policy , and tighten national security efforts .
Feb. 5 President Trump was acquitted by the Senate : After months of an impeachment inquiry , a successful vote in the House of Representatives , and a Senate trial — President Trump was formally acquitted on two articles of impeachment Wednesday .
The first article , abuse of power , received 48 guilty votes from Democrats and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second article , obstruction of Congress was decided on a party-line vote .
Feb. 6 President Trump Gives A Televised Speech Post-Acquittal : In the White House East Room , President Trump gave a `` victory '' speech criticizing Democrats , the impeachment investigation and thanking his legal team and colleagues in Congress .
`` We went through hell , unfairly .
I did nothing wrong , '' the president said , later describing the impeachment process as `` bulls*** . ''

7 Candidates Debate In New Hampshire: Here's What You Need To Know
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP Patrick Semansky/AP
After a flawed Iowa caucus process, the Senate acquittal of President Trump and a dramatic State of the Union address — all in the past five days — Friday night brings the eighth Democratic presidential debate.
Of the 11 candidates still running for president, only seven will take the debate stage in Manchester, N.H., tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
The debate comes a day after all the results finally came in from Iowa, but The Associated Press announced it was unable to officially declare a winner. That leaves a virtual tie in place between former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders — with Buttigieg leading by 0.1% and Sanders holding more of the popular vote.
The delayed results dominated a sizable portion of the candidates' week leading up to Friday's debate. And unlike in previous election cycles, in which the winner of the Iowa caucuses takes the winning momentum into New Hampshire, the delays this year created an unprecedented feeling of collective victory among several major candidates.
Sanders in particular heads into the New Hampshire debate as a solid front-runner, fresh off a strong-but-delayed Iowa finish, $25 million raised in January alone and a sizable lead in the Granite State polls.
Specifically — according to the RealClearPolitics average — Sanders tops New Hampshire polls at 26%, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden (18%), Buttigieg (16%) and Massachusetts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (14%).
Who will be onstage for the Feb. 7 debate?
The debate features seven candidates — one more candidate than last time — but still significantly less than the 20 featured in the first two sets of debates over the summer.
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
How to watch the debate:
The debate will begin at 8 p.m. ET and is expected to end around 11 p.m. ET. It is co-hosted by ABC News, Apple News and WMUR-TV and will take place at Saint Anselm College.
The debate will be televised on ABC, WMUR-TV and ABC affiliate channels. It can also be accessed on ABC.com, the ABC mobile app, as well as TV streaming services Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
NPR's politics team will be providing live analysis and fact checks throughout the night at NPR.org. Also, be sure to subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast for a post-debate recap.
Who is moderating?
The debate is being moderated by ABC chief anchor George Stephanopoulos, ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis. In addition, the ABC moderators will be joined by WMUR's Political Director Adam Sexton and anchor Monica Hernandez.
What has changed since the last debate on Jan. 14?
Jan. 16: The U.S-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement passes in the Senate: The USMCA — a revised and updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement — was passed in the Senate 89-10, marking a notable bipartisan moment in Congress and in the Trump administration. Trump signed it on Jan. 29.
Jan. 31: New advertising numbers show billionaire presidential candidates are massively outspending the rest of the field: Despite lower polling numbers, businessmen Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer have dropped over $446 million nationwide on advertising. The two candidates have outspent President Trump's reelection campaign significantly — which has spent $52 million on ads.
Feb. 3: Iowa caucuses: A reporting issue with a new app caused a major delay in results. As of Thursday evening, all precincts had finally reported, but no winner was declared. Sanders and Buttigieg essentially tied.
Feb. 4: President Trump delivers his State of the Union address: In his speech to Congress, Trump boasted about his administration's work to strengthen the economy, decrease the cost of health care, revamp immigration policy, and tighten national security efforts.
Feb. 5: President Trump is acquitted by the Senate: After months of an impeachment inquiry, a successful vote in the House of Representatives and a Senate trial, Trump was formally acquitted on two articles of impeachment Wednesday. The first article, abuse of power, received 48 guilty votes from Democrats and one Republican, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. The second article, obstruction of Congress, was decided on a party-line vote.
Feb. 6: President Trump gives a televised speech post-acquittal: In the White House East Room, Trump gave a "victory" speech criticizing Democrats, the impeachment investigation and thanking his legal team and colleagues in Congress. "We went through hell, unfairly. I did nothing wrong," the president said, later describing the impeachment process as "bulls***."