npr--2020-01-31--Several 'Best' U.S. Hospitals Penalized Over Too-High Rates Of Infection, Injury

Several 'Best ' U.S .
Hospitals Penalized Over Too-High Rates Of Infection , Injury Hundreds of hospitals across the U.S. , including a number with sterling reputations for cutting-edge care , will be paid less by Medicare after the federal government pronounced that they had higher rates of infections and patient injuries than others .
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday identified 786 hospitals that will receive lower payments for a year under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program , a creation of the Affordable Care Act .
The penalties are designed to encourage better care without taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs , which would drive most hospitals out of business .
Now in their sixth year , the punishments , known as HAC penalties , remain awash in criticism from all sides .
Hospitals say they are arbitrary and unfair , and some patient advocates believe they are too small to make a difference .
Research has shown that while hospital infections are decreasing overall , it is hard to attribute that trend to the penalties .
`` There is limited evidence that this is the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Andrew Ryan , a professor of health care management at the University of Michigan 's School of Public Health .
Under the law , Medicare is mandated each year to punish the 25 % of general care hospitals that have the highest rates of patient safety issues .
The government assesses the rates of infections , blood clots , sepsis cases , bedsores , hip fractures and other complications that occur in hospitals and might have been prevented .
Hospitals can be punished even if they have improved from past years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % for those hospitals over the course of the federal fiscal year , which started in October and runs through the end of September .
Since the program 's onset , 1,865 of the nation 's 5,276 hospitals have been penalized for at least one year , according to a Kaiser Health News analysis .
Many hospitals escaped penalties because they were automatically excluded from the program , either because they solely served children , veterans or psychiatric patients or because they have special status as a `` critical access hospital '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needing inpatient care .
This year , 145 hospitals received their first penalty , the analysis found .
Conversely , 16 that had been penalized every year since the start of the program avoided punishment this time .
Those included Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte , N.C. , and Tampa General Hospital in Florida .
Novant Health says it lowered infection rates by being more discriminating in using urinary catheters and central lines , by standardizing the steps to prevent infections in surgeries and by getting staffers to wash their hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalized seven of the 21 hospitals on U.S. News ' Best Hospitals Honor Roll , an annual ranking often used as a proxy for identifying the most prestigious facilities .
Those penalized `` honor roll '' hospitals were UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh ; Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles ; Keck Hospital of USC ; Stanford Health Care 's main hospital in Northern California ; UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco ; NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan ; and the Mayo Clinic 's hospital in Phoenix .
Only UCSF commented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , blaming its high HAC rates on its thoroughness in identifying infections and reporting them to the government .
`` That commitment will naturally make our rates appear to be higher than some other hospitals , '' UCSF noted in a written statement .
Three other `` honor roll '' hospitals have avoided punishment in all six years of the penalties : Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston , the Mayo Clinic 's flagship hospital in Rochester , Minn. , and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia .
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare excludes all Maryland hospitals from the program because it pays them through a different arrangement from the one it uses for hospitals in other states .
The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality last year estimated that there were about 2.5 million hospital-acquired conditions in 2017 .
Rates have been dropping by about 4.5 % a year , the agency calculated , with the biggest decreases since 2014 in infections from Clostridioides difficile , known as C. diff ; bad reactions to medications ; and postoperative blood clots .
Maryellen Guinan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Essential Hospitals , an association of about 300 safety-net hospitals , says , `` Our folks , even before the HAC program was in existence , have been doing a lot to put in infection controls . ''
However , a study that Ryan and colleagues published in Health Affairs in November analyzed a clinical surgical data registry used by 73 Michigan hospitals and concluded that hospital complication rates were higher than what the government has estimated .
The study agreed that rates were dropping but said there was no proof the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Binder , president of the Leapfrog Group , a patient safety organization , says that the complex formula that Medicare uses to allot penalties is too confusing and that the penalty set by Congress is too small to be effective .
`` Americans expect 100 % of hospitals to go to the ends of the earth to prevent needless patient suffering , and singling out some hospitals for a little 1 % ding is n't enough , '' she says .
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not respond to requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of American Medical Colleges says 45 % of its members were penalized this year — nearly double the rate of other hospitals .
Dr. Atul Grover , the association 's executive vice president , says that teaching hospitals incurred penalties more often because they often treat some of the sickest people and that Medicare 's calculations did not sufficiently take into account the especially weakened condition of those hospitals ' patients , which make them more susceptible to infections .
`` There are still issues with the methodology , surveillance bias and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions that have patients who are sicker '' and who are more likely to have multiple medical problems , Grover says .
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation .
KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .
Check the KHN database to see how your local hospitals fared each year .

Several 'Best' U.S. Hospitals Penalized Over Too-High Rates Of Infection, Injury
Enlarge this image toggle caption Morsa Images/Getty Images Morsa Images/Getty Images
Hundreds of hospitals across the U.S., including a number with sterling reputations for cutting-edge care, will be paid less by Medicare after the federal government pronounced that they had higher rates of infections and patient injuries than others.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday identified 786 hospitals that will receive lower payments for a year under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, a creation of the Affordable Care Act. The penalties are designed to encourage better care without taking the extreme step of tossing a hospital out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which would drive most hospitals out of business.
Now in their sixth year, the punishments, known as HAC penalties, remain awash in criticism from all sides. Hospitals say they are arbitrary and unfair, and some patient advocates believe they are too small to make a difference. Research has shown that while hospital infections are decreasing overall, it is hard to attribute that trend to the penalties.
"There is limited evidence that this is the kind of program that makes things better," says Andrew Ryan, a professor of health care management at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health.
Under the law, Medicare is mandated each year to punish the 25% of general care hospitals that have the highest rates of patient safety issues. The government assesses the rates of infections, blood clots, sepsis cases, bedsores, hip fractures and other complications that occur in hospitals and might have been prevented. Hospitals can be punished even if they have improved from past years.
Medicare is cutting every payment by 1% for those hospitals over the course of the federal fiscal year, which started in October and runs through the end of September.
Since the program's onset, 1,865 of the nation's 5,276 hospitals have been penalized for at least one year, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis.
Many hospitals escaped penalties because they were automatically excluded from the program, either because they solely served children, veterans or psychiatric patients or because they have special status as a "critical access hospital" for lack of nearby alternatives for people needing inpatient care.
This year, 145 hospitals received their first penalty, the analysis found. Conversely, 16 that had been penalized every year since the start of the program avoided punishment this time. Those included Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., and Tampa General Hospital in Florida.
Novant Health says it lowered infection rates by being more discriminating in using urinary catheters and central lines, by standardizing the steps to prevent infections in surgeries and by getting staffers to wash their hands more often.
This year, Medicare penalized seven of the 21 hospitals on U.S. News' Best Hospitals Honor Roll, an annual ranking often used as a proxy for identifying the most prestigious facilities.
Those penalized "honor roll" hospitals were UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh; Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles; Keck Hospital of USC; Stanford Health Care's main hospital in Northern California; UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco; NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan; and the Mayo Clinic's hospital in Phoenix.
Only UCSF commented to Kaiser Health News on the penalties, blaming its high HAC rates on its thoroughness in identifying infections and reporting them to the government.
"That commitment will naturally make our rates appear to be higher than some other hospitals," UCSF noted in a written statement.
Three other "honor roll" hospitals have avoided punishment in all six years of the penalties: Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the Mayo Clinic's flagship hospital in Rochester, Minn., and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has also avoided penalties every year, but Medicare excludes all Maryland hospitals from the program because it pays them through a different arrangement from the one it uses for hospitals in other states.
The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality last year estimated that there were about 2.5 million hospital-acquired conditions in 2017. Rates have been dropping by about 4.5% a year, the agency calculated, with the biggest decreases since 2014 in infections from Clostridioides difficile, known as C. diff; bad reactions to medications; and postoperative blood clots.
Maryellen Guinan, a senior policy analyst at America's Essential Hospitals, an association of about 300 safety-net hospitals, says, "Our folks, even before the HAC program was in existence, have been doing a lot to put in infection controls."
However, a study that Ryan and colleagues published in Health Affairs in November analyzed a clinical surgical data registry used by 73 Michigan hospitals and concluded that hospital complication rates were higher than what the government has estimated. The study agreed that rates were dropping but said there was no proof the HAC penalties played a role.
Leah Binder, president of the Leapfrog Group, a patient safety organization, says that the complex formula that Medicare uses to allot penalties is too confusing and that the penalty set by Congress is too small to be effective.
"Americans expect 100% of hospitals to go to the ends of the earth to prevent needless patient suffering, and singling out some hospitals for a little 1% ding isn't enough," she says.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
The Association of American Medical Colleges says 45% of its members were penalized this year — nearly double the rate of other hospitals.
Dr. Atul Grover, the association's executive vice president, says that teaching hospitals incurred penalties more often because they often treat some of the sickest people and that Medicare's calculations did not sufficiently take into account the especially weakened condition of those hospitals' patients, which make them more susceptible to infections.
"There are still issues with the methodology, surveillance bias and the inability to fully risk-adjust for our institutions that have patients who are sicker" and who are more likely to have multiple medical problems, Grover says.
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Check the KHN database to see how your local hospitals fared each year.


npr--2020-01-31--Why Many Progressives Say They've Come Back To Bernie Sanders

Why Many Progressives Say They 've Come Back To Bernie Sanders A year ago , some New Hampshire progressives , who had elevated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to a decisive victory in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary there , told NPR they were n't so sure they wanted to see him run for president again .
But with just days until the first votes of the 2020 presidential primary , in Iowa , it appears that progressives are coming back to Sanders .
His polling has risen in recent weeks , as a number of progressive groups announced their support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the left ultimately decided to stick with him .
Burt Cohen is one such voter .
He 's known Sanders since the 1970s , and in the last presidential election , he was a delegate for the Vermont senator at the Democratic National Convention .
But Cohen was initially skeptical of a Sanders sequel .
`` I was n't sure it was a good idea , to be perfectly honest , '' the former New Hampshire state senator-turned-podcast host said recently .
`` What held me back a little bit was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's us , ' and that so many other candidates were picking up what he was talking about . ''
Many progressives said similar things at the beginning of this campaign cycle .
They felt that issues that Sanders has championed , such as Medicare for All , were now part of the party 's mainstream debate .
But as the campaign dragged on , some voters , like New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate Andy Volinsky , began to have doubts about other candidates .
`` I am not convinced that Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare for All exists among very many other candidates , '' he said .
In 2016 , Volinsky was Sanders ' New Hampshire attorney .
But this year , he took months to make a decision .
He said he was impressed with Elizabeth Warren and even introduced her at a rally .
But he was worried that the Massachusetts senator is `` not as readily accepted by working people as Bernie is . ''
That was a common concern voiced by progressive voters who said they had considered Warren before coming back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Warren back in 2015 , '' Cohen said .
`` I had a sticker on my car — 'Run , Warren , Run . '
`` He said Warren would make a `` terrific '' president but , he said , Democrats need a candidate who can win back the voters the party lost in 2016 .
`` Frankly , '' he said , `` the Harvard , professorial style , I do n't know how well that would do in the Midwest . ''
But that same concern is what led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he supported in 2016 , and toward Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Ind.
, this year .
`` One of the things about Bernie is that I do n't think he 's evolved very much since 2016 , '' Stelling , of Manchester , N.H. , said .
`` He 's delivering exactly the same message , but the world has changed . ''
This notion — that consistency might not always be a virtue — is perhaps progressives ' most common critique of the Vermont senator .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't changed , but the times have , '' said Ron Abramson .
He and his daughter , Quincy , both supported Sanders in 2016 .
He held a house party for the senator .
She volunteered for him .
But this year , they 're not in sync .
Ron wants a leader who can effectively govern and adapt if needed .
He said that 's Warren .
Quincy wants drastic change .
She thinks capitalism is the root of almost every problem in this country , so she told her dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does know how to work within the system more and play the game better and , for you , that 's pragmatic , and for me , that 's scary . ''
Quincy Abramson is supporting Sanders again .
She said she came to that decision partly because of how he speaks , compared with Warren .
`` The feeling I get from the way Warren talks about going into office is , you know , ' I have a plan for that .
Vote for me .
Trust me , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` While Bernie 's is , 'We have to do this together . '
`` But Ron Abramson is skeptical of his daughter 's interpretation of Sanders as a more collaborative leader .
`` I appreciate that he has created a movement , '' he said , `` but there 's a fine line between a movement and a cult of personality . ''

Why Many Progressives Say They've Come Back To Bernie Sanders
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A year ago, some New Hampshire progressives, who had elevated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to a decisive victory in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary there, told NPR they weren't so sure they wanted to see him run for president again.
But with just days until the first votes of the 2020 presidential contest, in Iowa, it appears that progressives are coming back to Sanders. His polling has risen in recent weeks, as a number of progressive groups announced their support for him and as many voters on the left ultimately decided to stick with him.
Burt Cohen is one such voter.
He's known Sanders since the 1970s, and in the last presidential election he was a delegate for the Vermont senator at the Democratic National Convention.
But Cohen was initially skeptical of a Sanders sequel.
"I wasn't sure it was a good idea, to be perfectly honest," the former New Hampshire state senator-turned-podcast host said recently. "What held me back a little bit was, as Bernie says, 'It's not me, it's us,' and that so many other candidates were picking up what he was talking about."
Many progressives said similar things at the beginning of this campaign cycle. They felt the issues that Sanders has championed, such as "Medicare for All," were now part of the party's mainstream debate.
But as the campaign dragged on, some voters, like New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate Andy Volinsky, began to have doubts about other candidates.
"I am not convinced that Sanders' level of commitment to things like Medicare for All exists among very many other candidates," he said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen/AFP via Getty Images Stephen Maturen/AFP via Getty Images
In 2016, Volinsky was Sanders' New Hampshire attorney. But this year, he took months to make a decision. He said he was impressed with Elizabeth Warren and even introduced her at a rally.
But he was worried that the Massachusetts senator is "not as readily accepted by working people as Bernie is."
That was a common concern voiced by progressive voters who said they had considered Warren before coming back to Sanders.
"I had been for Warren back in 2015," Cohen said. "I had a sticker on my car — 'Run, Warren, Run.' "
He said Warren would make a "terrific" president but, he said, Democrats need a candidate who can win back the voters the party lost in 2016.
"Frankly," he said, "the Harvard, professorial style, I don't know how well that would do in the Midwest."
But that same concern is what led Bill Stelling away from Sanders, whom he supported in 2016, and toward Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., this year.
"One of the things about Bernie is that I don't think he's evolved very much since 2016," said Stelling, of Manchester, N.H. "He's delivering exactly the same message, but the world has changed."
This notion — that consistency might not always be a virtue — is perhaps progressives' most common critique of the Vermont senator.
A Sanders-or-Warren family
"Maybe Bernie hasn't changed, but the times have," said Ron Abramson.
He and his daughter, Quincy, both supported Sanders in 2016. He held a house party for the senator. She volunteered for him.
But this year, they're not in sync.
Ron wants a leader who can effectively govern and adapt if needed. He said that's Warren.
Quincy wants drastic change. She thinks capitalism is the root of almost every problem in this country, so she told her dad how she sees Warren: "She does know how to work within the system more and play the game better and, for you, that's pragmatic, and for me, that's scary."
Quincy is supporting Sanders again. She said she came to that decision partly because of how he speaks, compared with Warren.
"The feeling I get from the way Warren talks about going into office is, you know, 'I have a plan for that. Vote for me. Trust me, and I'll handle it,' " she said. "While Bernie's is, 'We have to do this together.' "
But Ron is skeptical of his daughter's interpretation of Sanders as a more collaborative leader.
"I appreciate that he has created a movement," he said, "but there's a fine line between a movement and a cult of personality."


npr--2020-01-31--Self-Defense Classes Help Indigenous Women Fight Kidnapping Threat

On a recent Saturday in Everett , Mass.
, Native American women have gathered to learn some self-defense techniques .
Before the class starts , sage is burned and instructor Shanda Poitra smudges and asks any Native energies to be with her .
`` I just prayed , in my mind , thanking [ the ] Creator for opportunities and being with me today and helping really get the point across today , '' Poitra says .
Native women have a basic right to protect themselves .
The women at this particular class come from tribes in Massachusetts , North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to recognize threats , how to deescalate confrontational situations and how to strike an attacker in the groin .
The class culminates with Poitra teaching attendees how to defend themselves against someone who tries to sexually assault them while they 're sleeping .
She lays on her stomach on the floor and a man gets on top of her .
`` I wait for his full body pressure to come on .
Once his full body pressure is on me , '' Poitra said to class , before pulling off what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While still on her stomach , Poitra lifts her right left towards her chest and leverages all of that accumulated weight and then , she heaves up .
`` Knocking him off of me , '' she said .
`` It only works when all his weight is on me . ''
In November , President Trump signed an executive order called `` Operation Lady Justice , '' which would create an interagency task force to look into why so many native women 's lives are disrupted or ended because of trauma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Justice , in some instances , Native women are killed at a rate 10 times higher than the national average .
But Poitra said she 's not waiting on the government to save her people .
`` Historically , the government has n't been very good to native people , '' she said .
`` So I think it 's that we start empowering ourselves and start turning it around ourselves . ''
Poitra is a survivor of domestic violence .
She took a self-defense class and was able to get out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to help other women from different tribes across the country .
Many who take the hours-long class not only find it physically grueling , but emotionally taxing , such as Kristen Wyman who teared up while learning the techniques .
`` Almost as if my ancestors , my aunties , my grandmother — everybody was with me that knows what our women face , '' she said .
`` And just to see the power of that , in that scenario , was real . ''
The class is designed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
And Rachael Devaney told the group that aspect is important to her .
`` It is so empowering learning from other native people .
That space is not available to us all the time , '' she told the group at the end of class .
`` To feel that kind of empowerment , connecting with you guys in that way is really amazing for me , just as a Native woman . ''
Native men participate in the class as well .
Two of them wear football padding and very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turtle Mountain tribe , whose traditional name is Fire Spirit , said he volunteered because too many Native women have had their fire taken away through violence .
He 's seen it firsthand .
`` I have an auntie who could 've definitely benefited [ from this class ] , '' Davis said .
`` She might still be alive today if she would 've known these tactics , or that she could empower herself to say no , to step away or maybe fought back one time and deterred him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the end of class , a song is sung that memorializes the lives of all missing murdered Indigenous women : We will always remember you warrior women and leader women .
You are in our hearts and minds The class , itself , is a mandate for Native women to keep their fires burning .

Kidnapping Threat Is Higher For Native Women, So They're Learning Self-Defense
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robin Lubbock/WBUR Robin Lubbock/WBUR
On a recent Saturday in Everett, Mass., Native American women have gathered to learn some self-defense techniques. Before the class starts, sage is burned and instructor Shanda Poitra smudges and asks any Native energies to be with her.
"I just prayed, in my mind, thanking [the] Creator for opportunities and being with me today and helping really get the point across today," Poitra says.
The point?
Native women have a basic right to protect themselves.
The women at this particular class come from tribes in Massachusetts, North Dakota and El Salvador. They learn how to recognize threats, how to de-escalate confrontational situations and how to strike an attacker in the groin.
The class culminates with Poitra teaching attendees how to defend themselves against someone who tries to sexually assault them while they're sleeping. She lies on her stomach on the floor and a man gets on top of her.
"I wait for his full body pressure to come on. Once his full body pressure is on me ..." Poitra says to the class, before pulling off what she calls "an explosive move."
While still on her stomach, Poitra lifts her right left toward her chest and leverages all of that accumulated weight. Then she heaves up.
"Knocking him off of me," she says. "It only works when all his weight is on me."
Not waiting
In November, President Trump signed an executive order called "Operation Lady Justice," which would create an interagency task force to look into why so many Native women's lives are disrupted or ended because of trauma.
According to research funded by the Department of Justice, in some instances, Native women are killed at a rate 10 times higher than the national average.
But Poitra said she's not waiting on the government to save her people.
"Historically, the government hasn't been very good to Native people," she says. "So I think it's that we start empowering ourselves and start turning it around ourselves."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robin Lubbock/WBUR Robin Lubbock/WBUR
Poitra is a survivor of domestic violence. She took a self-defense class and was able to get out of her situation. Now she wants to help other women from different tribes across the country.
Many who take the hours-long class — such as Kristen Wyman, who teared up while learning the techniques — find it both physically grueling and emotionally taxing.
"Almost as if my ancestors, my aunties, my grandmother — everybody was with me that knows what our women face," she says. "And just to see the power of that, in that scenario, was real."
The class is designed to be taught to Native women, by Native women. And Rachael Devaney told the group that aspect is important to her.
"It is so empowering learning from other Native people. That space is not available to us all the time," she told the group at the end of class. "To feel that kind of empowerment, connecting with you guys in that way is really amazing for me, just as a Native woman."
Native men participate in the class as well. Two of them wear football padding and very reinforced helmets.
Michael Davis of the Turtle Mountain Tribe, whose traditional name is Fire Spirit, said he volunteered because too many Native women have had their "fire" taken away through violence. He has seen it firsthand.
"I have an auntie who could've definitely benefited [from this class]," Davis says. "She might still be alive today if she would've known these tactics, or that she could empower herself to say no, to step away or maybe fought back one time and deterred him and maybe made him think twice."
At the end of class, a song is sung that memorializes the lives of all missing, murdered Indigenous women:
We will always remember you warrior women and leader women. You are in our hearts and minds.
The class itself is a mandate for Native women to keep their fires burning.


npr--2020-01-31--Brexit Day: What To Know When The U.K. Leaves The EU

Brexit Day : What To Know When The U.K. Leaves The EU More than 3 1/2 years after the landmark Brexit referendum , the United Kingdom will finally leave the European Union at 11 p.m. GMT on Friday .
That means Britain will exit the bloc of 27 remaining countries and the bloc 's economic market of about 450 million people and will begin to forge its own way in the world .
The U.K. has been a member of the EU since 1973 .
Leaving is one of the biggest , riskiest and most divisive steps the country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ways Brexit is expected to play out in the near term .
What happens at 11:01 on Friday night .
Does trade stop ?
Do EU citizens living in the U.K. and Brits in the EU have to head back to their respective countries ?
No .
The U.K. and the European Union will immediately enter a transition period until the end of this year , during which the free movement of people and trade between them will continue as before .
There is no expectation of long lines at ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer be EU citizens , but they will still broadly enjoy the same rights they do now .
The U.K. will keep paying into the EU budget during this transition period , but British lawmakers will no longer sit in the European Parliament or help shape EU rules .
Next month , British and EU negotiators will begin trying to hammer out a free trade deal to take effect when the transition ends on Dec. 31 .
Brexit took a long time .
How long will it take for the U.K. to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU ?
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he can get a deal in the next 11 months , but the EU and trade experts are deeply skeptical , given the complexity of such trade negotiations .
There are several scenarios .
If the U.K. ca n't reach a deal , it could crash out of the EU at the end of this year .
Trade would default to World Trade Organization terms , which would place tariffs on some goods and cause pain for the British and , to a lesser extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask to extend the transition period , but he would face opposition within his Conservative Party .
He has also vowed never to request an extension again .
It 's important to remember that the Brexit process does not end on Friday night .
Most analysts say that negotiating a new relationship with the EU will be much harder than leaving it .
What might a U.K.-EU trade deal look like ?
This is a huge question , and the answer could have a significant impact on the British economy .
U.K. treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be no alignment between British and EU regulations in their new relationship , which economists say would create trade barriers and raise costs , potentially hurting the U.K. 's agriculture and auto sectors , among others .
Consider this : Many foreign manufacturers built plants in the U.K. to take advantage of its free trade with the EU .
If the country 's exports to the EU face tariffs in the future , that might reduce the incentive for foreign companies to invest in the United Kingdom .
The British economy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote than many economists expected , but it faces big challenges .
The British pound has still not recovered from its sharp drop in value after Britain voted to leave the EU .
Unemployment is low , but so is economic growth .
`` The fact is that we 're hardly growing at all now , '' said Jonathan Portes , an economics professor at King 's College London , who cited troubles with the global and European economies as well as Brexit uncertainty .
Portes added that the risks of a recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit mean for the U.K. 's special relationship with the U.S. ?
Without the leverage that comes from trading as part of a much larger market like the EU , the United Kingdom is anxious to negotiate a good trade deal quickly with the world 's largest economy , the United States .
President Trump supports Brexit ; he criticizes multilateral institutions like the EU .
On Thursday in London , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that leaving the EU would free up the U.K. and allow it to reduce transaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo and U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said they thought a deal could be done this year , but trade experts remain skeptical .
Aside from being a longtime ally with shared democratic values , the U.K. has been attractive to the U.S. because it could help America with its agenda in Europe .
Once Britain is outside the EU , its influence and therefore its usefulness to Washington are expected to decline .
Brexit strained ties within the United Kingdom .
What is the future of Scotland and Northern Ireland ?
Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many there are angry that the U.K. leadership , from their perspective , is dragging them out against their will .
Brexit has accelerated discussions in Scotland about breaking away from the U.K. — including the Scottish Parliament 's vote this week to hold a new independence referendum .
A binding referendum would need the central U.K. government 's approval , which Johnson says he wo n't grant .
But if the pro-independence Scottish National Party has a strong showing in next year 's Scottish parliamentary elections , independence supporters will press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also accelerated talk of an eventual vote on the reunification of the island of Ireland .
Although the Republic of Ireland is staying in the EU , Northern Ireland is leaving the EU with the rest of the United Kingdom .
The Brexit withdrawal agreement requires customs checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland , which has infuriated many in Northern Ireland who support remaining a part of the United Kingdom .
That said , there are many barriers to Ireland 's reunification , including the cost to the Republic of Ireland of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to the status quo is likely many years away .
What are the main lessons from this long Brexit ordeal ?
The Brexit vote is part of a much larger trend in parts of the West that values national sovereignty and independence over political and economic integration .
Simply put , it 's a backlash against a long-running trend toward globalization .
British politicians learned that taking a question as complex as membership in the EU to a public referendum is very risky .
The British people have found that unraveling decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more fraught than anyone imagined .
Finally , some Britons have discovered — after years of domestic political chaos and the U.K. 's failure to have its way with Brussels — that their country is nowhere near as politically powerful or as influential as they thought .

Brexit Day: What To Know When The U.K. Leaves The EU
toggle caption Francois Lenoir/Reuters
Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET
More than 3 1/2 years after the landmark Brexit referendum, the United Kingdom finally left the European Union at 11 p.m. GMT on Friday.
That means Britain exited the bloc of 27 remaining countries and will begin to forge its own way in the world, but there's a transition period before the U.K. cuts itself off entirely.
The U.K. has been a member of the EU since 1973. Leaving is one of the biggest, riskiest and most divisive steps the country has taken in decades.
Here are some of the ways Brexit is expected to play out in the near term.
What happens on Friday night. Does trade stop? Do EU citizens living in the U.K. and Brits in the EU have to head back to their respective countries?
No. The U.K. and the European Union will immediately enter a transition period until the end of this year, during which the free movement of people and trade between them will continue as before. There is no expectation of long lines at ports on the English Channel. Britons will no longer be EU citizens, but they will still broadly enjoy the same rights they do now. The U.K. will keep paying into the EU budget during this transition period, but British lawmakers will no longer sit in the European Parliament or help shape EU rules. Next month, British and EU negotiators will begin trying to hammer out a free trade deal to take effect when the transition ends on Dec. 31.
Brexit took a long time. How long will it take for the U.K. to reach a free trade deal with the EU?
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he can get a deal in the next 11 months, but the EU and trade experts are deeply skeptical, given the complexity of such trade negotiations.
There are several scenarios. If the U.K. can't reach a deal, it could crash out of the EU at the end of this year. Trade would default to World Trade Organization terms, which would place tariffs on some goods and cause pain for the British and, to a lesser extent, the EU economies. Johnson could ask to extend the transition period, but he would face opposition within his Conservative Party. He has also vowed never to request an extension again.
It's important to remember that the Brexit process does not end on Friday night. Most analysts say that negotiating a new relationship with the EU will be much harder than leaving it.
What might a U.K.-EU trade deal look like?
This is a huge question, and the answer could have a significant impact on the British economy. U.K. treasury chief Sajid Javid has said that there will be no alignment between British and EU regulations in their new relationship, which economists say would create trade barriers and raise costs, potentially hurting the U.K.'s agriculture and auto sectors, among others. Consider this: Many foreign manufacturers built plants in the U.K. to take advantage of its free trade with the EU. If the country's exports to the EU face tariffs in the future, that might reduce the incentive for foreign companies to invest in the United Kingdom.
The British economy has proved more resilient since the 2016 Brexit vote than many economists expected, but it faces big challenges. The British pound has still not recovered from its sharp drop in value after Britain voted to leave the EU. Unemployment is low, but so is economic growth.
"The fact is that we're hardly growing at all now," said Jonathan Portes, an economics professor at King's College London, who cited troubles with the global and European economies as well as Brexit uncertainty. Portes added that the risks of a recession are "high."
What does Brexit mean for the U.K.'s special relationship with the U.S.?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tolga Akmen/AP Tolga Akmen/AP
World What Conservative U.K. Wins Mean For The U.S. What Conservative U.K. Wins Mean For The U.S. Listen · 3:55 3:55
Without the leverage that comes from trading as part of a much larger market like the EU, the United Kingdom is anxious to negotiate a good trade deal quickly with the world's largest economy, the United States. President Trump supports Brexit; he criticizes multilateral institutions like the EU. On Thursday in London, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that leaving the EU would free up the U.K. and allow it to reduce transaction costs with the United States. Both Pompeo and U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said they thought a deal could be done this year, but trade experts remain skeptical.
Aside from being a longtime ally with shared democratic values, the U.K. has been attractive to the U.S. because it could help America with its agenda in Europe. Once Britain is outside the EU, its influence and therefore its usefulness to Washington are expected to decline.
Brexit strained ties within the United Kingdom. What is the future of Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Europe Boris Johnson's Pledge To Pull Out Of EU Has Renewed Calls For Independence In Scotland Boris Johnson's Pledge To Pull Out Of EU Has Renewed Calls For Independence In Scotland Listen · 3:46 3:46
Scotland voted to stay in the EU, and many there are angry that the U.K. leadership, from their perspective, is dragging them out against their will. Brexit has accelerated discussions in Scotland about breaking away from the U.K. — including the Scottish Parliament's vote this week to hold a new independence referendum. A binding referendum would need the central U.K. government's approval, which Johnson says he won't grant. But if the pro-independence Scottish National Party has a strong showing in next year's Scottish parliamentary elections, independence supporters will press their case even harder.
Brexit has also accelerated talk of an eventual vote on the reunification of the island of Ireland. Although the Republic of Ireland is staying in the EU, Northern Ireland is leaving the EU with the rest of the United Kingdom. The Brexit withdrawal agreement requires customs checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which has infuriated many in Northern Ireland who support remaining a part of the United Kingdom. That said, there are many barriers to Ireland's reunification, including the cost to the Republic of Ireland of absorbing the considerably poorer north. Any change to the status quo is likely many years away.
What are the main lessons from this long Brexit ordeal?
The Brexit vote is part of a much larger trend in parts of the West that values national sovereignty and independence over political and economic integration. Simply put, it's a backlash against a long-running trend toward globalization.
British politicians learned that taking a question as complex as membership in the EU to a public referendum is very risky. The British people have found that unraveling decades of relations with the European Union is far more fraught than anyone imagined. Finally, some Britons have discovered — after years of domestic political chaos and the U.K.'s failure to have its way with Brussels — that their country is nowhere near as politically powerful or as influential as they thought.


npr--2020-01-30--McConnell Now Likely Has Votes To Block Witnesses; Trial Could End Soon

McConnell Now Likely Has Votes To Block Witnesses ; Trial Could End Soon Sen. Lamar Alexander said on Thursday night that he will not vote to allow witnesses and evidence into the impeachment trial of President Trump , he announced on Thursday .
`` There is no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid , at least in part , to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens ; the House managers have proved this with what they call a 'mountain of overwhelming evidence , ' '' said Alexander in a statement .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who serve with 'the consent of the governed , ' not at the pleasure of the United States Congress .
Let the people decide . ''
The decision delivers a devastating blow to House managers prosecuting Trump , all but ensuring witnesses will not be called for Trump 's trial .
Without sufficient support for bringing witnesses , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to move quickly to vote on the two articles of impeachment .
The president could be acquitted on both charges as early as Friday evening .
Democrats needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have enough votes to call witnesses to testify .
Alexander , R-Tenn. , had been largely silent on the issue and was considered a crucial swing voter .
Only two Republicans — Maine Sen , Susan Collins and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney — have publicly called for witness testimony .
Collins said late Thursday she would support bringing witnesses .
Sen. Lisa Murkowski indicated she would share her decision on witnesses on Friday morning after spending some time studying her notes from the trial .
`` I 'm going to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put some eye drops so that I can keep reading , and I 've been forming a lot of thoughts and so that 's going to be my job now at almost 11 o'clock , '' she said .
But despite Alexander 's opposition to witnesses , he blasted President Trump 's actions in a statement announcing his vote .
`` It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such investigations , it undermines the principle of equal justice under the law .
But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year 's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate . ''
For days , the Democratic prosecutors have been making the case that Trump 's trial would not be fair in the absence of evidence and witnesses .
But Trump 's legal team has countered that opening the door to witnesses could prolong the trial for weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said nothing any witness could testify to would create the basis to convict and remove Trump from office .
Earlier on Thursday , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said a trial without witnesses would `` render the president 's acquittal meaningless , '' because , Schumer said , the process would look `` so rigged in his favor . ''
Alexander 's announcement to vote in lockstep with Republican leadership makes it increasingly doubtful that senators will ever hear from former national security adviser John Bolton .
He was a highly anticipated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to keep the hold on Ukrainian military aid until officials there agreed to investigate Democrats , including the Biden family .
Prosecutors say his first-hand account demonstrates the abuse of power allegations at the heart of the impeachment charges .
Pressure on Republicans to allow Bolton to speak during the trial began to mount following media reports about Bolton 's yet-to-be-published book , which supposedly contains dozens of pages dedicated to Trump 's affairs with Ukraine .
Before Alexander 's announcement , Trump 's lawyers made the case for why they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the proceeding .
`` The idea that something comes out because someone makes an assertion in a book allegedly .
It 's simply alleged now that the manuscript says that , '' said White House lawyer Patrick Philbin , `` That then we should start having this chamber call new witnesses and establish a new normal for impeachment proceedings as being that there does n't have to be a complete investigation in the House .
I think that is very damaging for the future of this institution . ''
Collins , announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case , resolve any ambiguities , and provide additional clarity . ''
The two other moderate Republicans who signaled they may be open to voting for witnesses are Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah .
Barring the appearance of a Republican wildcard , Democrats may fall one vote short of being able to call witnesses .
With a 53-47 majority in the Senate , Republicans are expected to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Removing Trump from office would take a two-thirds majority .

GOP Sen. Alexander To Vote Against Witnesses; Trump Impeachment Trial Could End Friday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Updated 11:28 p.m. ET
Sen. Lamar Alexander said on Thursday night that he will not vote to allow witnesses and evidence into the impeachment trial of President Trump.
"There is no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this with what they call a 'mountain of overwhelming evidence,'" Alexander said in a statement. "Our founding documents provide for duly elected presidents who serve with 'the consent of the governed,' not at the pleasure of the United States Congress. Let the people decide."
The decision delivers a devastating blow to House managers prosecuting Trump, all but ensuring witnesses will not be called for Trump's trial.
Without sufficient support for bringing witnesses, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to move quickly to vote on the two articles of impeachment. The president could be acquitted on both charges as early as Friday evening.
Democrats needed four Republicans to join them in order to have enough votes to call witnesses to testify. Alexander, R-Tenn., had been largely silent on the issue and was considered a crucial swing voter. Only two Republicans — Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney — have publicly called for witness testimony.
Collins said late Thursday she would support bringing witnesses.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski indicated she would share her decision on witnesses on Friday morning after spending some time studying her notes from the trial. "I'm going to go back to my office, I'm going to put some eye drops so that I can keep reading, and I've been forming a lot of thoughts and so that's going to be my job now at almost 11 o'clock," she said.
But despite Alexander's opposition to witnesses, he blasted President Trump's actions in a statement announcing his vote. "It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation," he said. "When elected officials inappropriately interfere with such investigations, it undermines the principle of equal justice under the law. But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate."
For days, the Democratic prosecutors have been making the case that Trump's trial would not be fair in the absence of evidence and witnesses. Trump's legal team has countered that opening the door to witnesses could prolong the trial for weeks, or even months. Trump's lawyers have said that nothing any witness could testify to would create the basis to convict and remove Trump from office.
Earlier on Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said a trial without witnesses would "render the president's acquittal meaningless," because, Schumer said, the process would look "so rigged in his favor."
Alexander's announcement to vote in lockstep with Republican leadership makes it increasingly doubtful that senators will ever hear from former national security adviser John Bolton. He was a highly anticipated witnesses since President Trump told Bolton he wanted to keep the hold on Ukrainian military aid until officials there agreed to investigate Democrats, including the Biden family.
Prosecutors say his firsthand account demonstrates the abuse of power allegations at the heart of the impeachment charges. Pressure on Republicans to allow Bolton to speak during the trial began to mount following media reports about Bolton's yet-to-be-published book, which supposedly contains dozens of pages dedicated to Trump's affairs with Ukraine.
Before Alexander's announcement, Trump's lawyers made the case for why they do not view Bolton's testimony as relevant to the proceeding.
"The idea that something comes out because someone makes an assertion in a book allegedly. It's simply alleged now that the manuscript says that," said White House lawyer Patrick Philbin, "That then we should start having this chamber call new witnesses and establish a new normal for impeachment proceedings as being that there doesn't have to be a complete investigation in the House. I think that is very damaging for the future of this institution."
Collins, announcing her plans to vote for witnesses, wrote: "I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities, and provide additional clarity."
Barring the appearance of a Republican wildcard, Democrats may fall one vote short of being able to call witnesses.
With a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Republicans are expected to vote to acquit Trump as early as Friday.
Removing Trump from office would take a two-thirds majority.


npr--2020-02-03--Trump Impeachment Trial Winds Down With Closing Arguments

Monday brings closing arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump .
Starting at 11 a.m .
ET , the House managers prosecuting Trump and the president 's defense team will each get two hours to make their case one final time .
Watch the proceedings live when they begin .
On Sunday , Trump repeated his oft-stated position on the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress impeachment charges pending against him in the Senate : that he is the victim of a politically motivated attempt to discredit his presidency in order to boot him from the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very unfair process , '' Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News in a pre-Super Bowl interview .
`` It should never happen to another president . ''
After Monday 's session , the Senate will adjourn until 4 p.m .
ET Wednesday , when senators are set to take a formal vote on the articles of impeachment .
Trump 's acquittal is nearly guaranteed , as 20 Republicans would have to join the Democratic caucus to vote against the president .
The lawyers ' final pitches to senators on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the introduction of new evidence into the trial .
News reports about bombshell allegations contained in a manuscript of former national security adviser John Bolton 's forthcoming book renewed hope for Democrats that they could recruit the four Republicans needed to bring witnesses and evidence into the trial .
But the effort fell short by two Republican votes .
The lead impeachment manager , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , said Sunday that Democrats are considering issuing a subpoena to sit Bolton down in front of investigators in the House , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Whether it 's in testimony before the House , or it 's in his book , or it 's in one form or another , the truth will come out , '' Schiff said on CBS 's Face the Nation .
Prior to the House impeaching Trump , Democrats requested that Bolton appear before House lawmakers , but he refused , citing the White House 's orders that former officials close to Trump not cooperate with impeachment investigators .
House lawmakers said they did not subpoena Bolton then in order to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House did attempt to subpoena Bolton , the Justice Department could go to court in an attempt to block Bolton 's testimony , but it remains unclear what the administration response would be if House Democrats try to hear from Bolton .
Among the key Republicans whom Democrats hoped to sway in favor of witnesses was Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , but Murkowski said Friday ahead of the vote that she opposed prolonging a trial that had already become too partisan , in her opinion .
`` I do n't believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , another swing Republican who voted against witnesses , said that while Trump 's actions with regard to Ukraine may have been wrong or inappropriate , using military assistance as a way to pressure a foreign country into investigating domestic rivals should not warrant removal from office .
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst conceded that the July 25 conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian president was `` maybe not the 'perfect call , ' `` as Trump has insisted .
But , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Whether you like what the president has done or not ... does it come to the point of removing a president from office ?
I do n't believe this does . ''
In a separate interview , Ernst reportedly made it clear that if Joe Biden were elected president , Republicans in Congress could move to impeach him over his work in Ukraine as vice president .
`` I think this door of impeachable whatever has been opened , '' Ernst told Bloomberg News on Sunday .
`` Joe Biden should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for because , you know , we can have a situation where if it should ever be President Biden , that immediately , people , right the day after he would be elected would be saying , 'Well , we 're going to impeach him . '
`` Ernst told Bloomberg that the basis for impeaching Biden would be `` for being assigned to take on Ukrainian corruption yet turning a blind eye to [ gas company ] Burisma because his son was on the board making over a million dollars a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and his son Hunter engaged in any wrongdoing when the elder Biden was vice president and his son was serving on the board of Burisma .
Meanwhile in Palm Beach , Fla. , Trump spent the weekend golfing at Mar-a-Lago , tweeting that Democrats pursued impeachment as a way to destabilize the Republican Party and to improve their election odds in November .
Trump wrote : `` They are playing with the people by taking it this far ! ''

Trump Impeachment Trial Winds Down With Closing Arguments
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 5:30 p.m.
House Democrats and President Trump's defense team made their final arguments in the Senate impeachment trial before lawmakers vote later this week on whether to remove Trump from office.
Both sides presented opposing versions of the president's handling of aid for Ukraine last summer and the impeachment proceedings so far, before ultimately arriving at divergent conclusions.
With Trump's acquittal all but certain, lead impeachment manager, Adam Schiff, used his remarks to push back against those lawmakers who argue that Trump's alleged actions may be inappropriate, but do not rise to the level of impeachment.
"What are the odds that (Trump) will continue trying to cheat? I will tell you: 100 percent," Schiff said. "If you have found him guilty and you do not remove him from office, he will continue trying to cheat in the election, until he succeeds."
The impeachment trial session is adjourned until Wednesday, but senators are expected to speak on the floor on impeachment Monday and Tuesday.
After the closing arguments wrapped, at least one Democrat — Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia — said he remained undecided on whether to vote to convict Trump. Manchin is one of a handful of Democrats who could potentially oppose removal.
Manchin floated the idea of censuring Trump for his conduct, but that idea is unlikely to gain much traction in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Trump has repeatedly said that the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress impeachment charges against him are a politically motivated attempt to discredit his presidency — a charge he tweeted again on Monday during the House managers' remarks.
The defense team argued Monday that Trump did not attempt to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals by holding up military aid last summer. The lawyers also blasted the House impeachment process, saying that Democrats did not follow the "rules" and were unfair to the president.
In sweeping remarks, Trump's lawyer Ken Starr quoted Martin Luther King and talked about freedom and justice. Starr is the former independent counsel whose investigation led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
"The House of Representatives does under our Constitution enjoy the sole power of impeachment. No one has disputed that fact. They've got the power. But, that does not mean that anything goes," Starr said. "It doesn't mean that the House cannot be called into account."
Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said that impeachment had always been the endgame for Democrats. He played a video of various Democrats calling for impeachment since Trump's election.
After Monday's session, the Senate adjourned. The impeachment proceedings will begin again at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, when senators are set to take a formal vote on the articles of impeachment. Trump's acquittal is nearly guaranteed, as 20 Republicans would have to join the Democratic caucus to vote against the president.
The lawyers' final pitches to senators on Monday followed a vote Friday to block witnesses and the introduction of new evidence into the trial.
Democrats had urged Republicans to consider bringing witnesses and evidence into the trial after news reports about bombshell allegations contained in a manuscript of former national security adviser John Bolton's forthcoming book. However, only two Republican senators joined Democrats, and the effort was defeated.
Schiff said Sunday that Democrats are considering issuing a subpoena to sit Bolton down in front of investigators in the House, where the impeachment inquiry is still open.
"Whether it's in testimony before the House, or it's in his book, or it's in one form or another, the truth will come out," Schiff said on CBS' Face the Nation.
Prior to the House impeaching Trump, Democrats requested that Bolton appear before House lawmakers, but he refused, citing the White House's orders that former officials close to Trump not cooperate with impeachment investigators. House lawmakers said they did not subpoena Bolton then in order to avoid a drawn-out court battle.


npr--2020-02-03--Iowa Is About To Reshape The Presidential Race — Here's What You Need To Know

Iowa Is About To Reshape The Presidential Race — Here 's What You Need To Know Voting in the Democratic presidential nominating contest is about to kick off with the Iowa caucuses Monday .
The stakes are high in Iowa — the last four Democratic nominees have all won the Hawkeye state .
But after about a year of campaigning and $ 50 million spent here by the candidates , the outcome is unclear .
The pressure is on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who led in the polls coming in , has drawn the biggest crowds on the ground and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former Vice President Joe Biden hopes to do well enough and that his base here — older voters — shows up .
Former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg drew the second-largest crowd here in the past couple of days and inspires a lot of people , but there are questions about the depth of his experience .
And Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's organization is vaunted , but it 's going to be tested , as will her `` fighter '' message , as she tries to thread a needle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some answers to key questions about the caucuses .
When are the Iowa caucuses ?
How long should they last ?
About an hour , maybe less this year , because of a rules change where there are only two rounds of caucusing .
When should we expect results ?
The first results are expected to start coming in by 8:45 p.m .
ET or so .
It could take longer if results are close .
What is this about a 15 % threshold ?
A candidate has to get 15 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucusing .
If they fall short , their supporters have the choice of going to another candidate , which is why caucus-goers ' second choices are so important .
Second choice could be determinative with such a crowded field .
How many delegates does Iowa have ?
41 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention .
But it 's a long road to their selection .
The 1,678 caucus precincts choose 11,402 delegates , who go to county conventions March 21 .
That 's when 2,107 delegates will be selected for the congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state convention on June 13 .
The 41 delegates to the national convention are chosen at the state convention .
It 's a months-long process , which is part of how Iowa ended up first on the Democratic nominating calendar .
By the way , those 41 delegates only represent about 1 % of the total delegates to the national convention .
What are we expecting for turnout ?
Crowds have been very large for most events for each of the top-polling candidates , which foretells a potentially high turnout .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the record for the Democratic caucuses , set in 2008 .
The second-highest was in 2016 at 171,000 , but the campaigns and state party are expecting record-breaking turnout .
That would be a good thing for the party as a potential indicator of enthusiasm for this fall 's general election .
What are some things to watch for that may tell which way things are going ?
Much of the result Monday night will depend on the shape of the electorate .
If it is a record turnout , the Sanders campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it will also depend on the types of people who caucus .
A key thing to watch is how moderate or liberal the attendees are .
In 2008 , 54 % were liberal ; in 2016 , when Sanders nearly won , it was more than two-thirds liberal .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
The older the electorate , the better for Biden and possibly Buttigieg .
The electorate being slightly older in 2016 than 2008 benefited Hillary Clinton .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical to how the 2016 caucuses turned out .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
The Sanders campaign also hopes that the number of first-time caucus-goers more closely resembles 2008 , when a majority were first-time caucus-goers .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
Maybe the most important variable is who wins those late-deciders .
A significant chunk of Iowans decide on their candidate late .
In 2016 and 2008 , a quarter or more of Iowa Democrats chose their candidate within the last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts was trailing badly in the polls a month out and wound up winning , a whopping 42 % decided in the final week .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
If I 'm looking at a map , where are key places with the most votes ?
About 40 % of the vote total in the Democratic caucuses comes from two places — Des Moines and the surrounding counties , as well as the eastern part of the state , from Cedar Rapids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the most votes in the 2016 Iowa Democratic caucuses and how they broke for Sanders and Clinton .
You can play along as the votes come in Monday night ( totals are approximate ) :

Iowa Is About To Reshape The Presidential Race — Here's What You Need To Know
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Voting in the Democratic presidential nominating contest is about to kick off Monday with the Iowa caucuses.
The stakes are high in Iowa — the last four Democratic nominees have all won the Hawkeye State. But after about a year of campaigning and $50 million spent here by the candidates, the outcome is unclear.
The pressure is on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who led in the polls coming in, has drawn the biggest crowds on the ground, and does incredibly well with younger voters.
Former Vice President Joe Biden hopes to do well enough and that his base here — older voters — shows up.
Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg drew the second-largest crowd here in the past couple of days and inspires a lot of people, but there are questions about the depth of his experience.
And Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's organization is vaunted, but it's going to be tested, as will her "fighter" message, as she tries to thread a needle between progressives and moderates.
Here are some answers to key questions about the caucuses.
When are the Iowa caucuses?
7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET
How long should they last?
About an hour, maybe less this year, because of a rules change where there are only two rounds of caucusing.
When should we expect results?
The first results are expected to start coming in by 8:45 p.m. ET or so. It could take longer if results are close.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
What is this about a 15% threshold?
A candidate has to get 15% to move on to the second and final round of caucusing. If they fall short, their supporters have the choice of going to another candidate, which is why caucusgoers' second choices are so important.
Second choice could be determinative with such a crowded field.
How many delegates does Iowa have?
Iowa has 41 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But it's a long road to their selection.
The NPR Politics Podcast Special Episode: On The Ground in Iowa Special Episode: On The Ground in Iowa Listen · 27:36 27:36
The 1,678 caucus precincts choose 11,402 delegates, who go to county conventions March 21. That's when 2,107 delegates will be selected for the congressional district conventions on April 25 and the state convention on June 13. The 41 delegates to the national convention are chosen at the state convention. It's a months-long process, which is part of how Iowa ended up first on the Democratic nominating calendar.
By the way, those 41 delegates represent only about 1% of the total delegates to the national convention.
What are we expecting for turnout?
Crowds have been very large for most events for each of the top-polling candidates, which foretells a potentially high turnout. The number to watch is 239,000. That's the record for the Democratic caucuses, set in 2008.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The second-highest was in 2016 at 171,000, but the campaigns and state party are expecting record-breaking turnout. That would be a good thing for the party as a potential indicator of enthusiasm for this fall's general election.
What are some things to watch for that may tell which way things are going?
Much of the result Monday night will depend on the shape of the electorate. If it is a record turnout, the Sanders campaign is confident that will help him. But it will also depend on the types of people who caucus.
A key thing to watch is how moderate or liberal the attendees are. In 2008, 54% were liberal; in 2016, when Sanders nearly won, it was more than two-thirds liberal.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
The older the electorate, the better for Biden and possibly Buttigieg. The electorate being slightly older in 2016 than 2008 benefited Hillary Clinton.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
Age and ideology were critical to how the 2016 caucuses turned out.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
The Sanders campaign also hopes that the number of first-time caucusgoers more closely resembles 2008, when a majority were first-time caucusgoers.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
Maybe the most important variable is who wins those late deciders. A significant chunk of Iowans decide on their candidate late. In 2016 and 2008, a quarter or more of Iowa Democrats chose their candidate within the last week of campaigning.
In 2004, when former Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts was trailing badly in the polls a month out and wound up winning, a whopping 42% decided in the final week.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
If I'm looking at a map, where are key places with the most votes?
About 40% of the vote total in the Democratic caucuses comes from two places — Des Moines and the surrounding counties, as well as the eastern part of the state, from Cedar Rapids to Davenport.
Here are the counties with the most votes in the 2016 Iowa Democratic caucuses and how they broke for Sanders and Clinton. You can play along as the votes come in Monday night (totals are approximate):
Polk (Des Moines) 23,000 — Clinton 53%-46%
Linn (Cedar Rapids) 12,000 — Sanders 52%-47%
Johnson (Iowa City, University of Iowa) 9,000 — Sanders 60%-40%
Scott (Davenport) 8,000 — Sanders 51%-49%
Black Hawk (Waterloo) 7,000 — Sanders 53%-47%
Dubuque 4,700 — Clinton 52%-47%
Story (Ames/Iowa State U.) 4,500 — Sanders 60%-40%
Woodbury (Sioux City) 4,000 — Sanders 53%-46%
Pottawattamie 3,000 — Sanders 51%-49%
Dallas 3,000 — Clinton 58%-42%
Clinton 2,300 — Sanders 51%-48%
Cerro Gordo (Mason City) 2,200 — Sanders 50%-49%
Warren (Indianola) 2,100 — Clinton 55%-43%
Des Moines 2,000 — Sanders 53%-47%
Jasper 1,700 — Clinton 52%-45%


npr--2020-02-03--No, You Won't Catch The New Coronavirus Via Packages Or Mail From China

No , You Wo n't Catch The New Coronavirus Via Packages Or Mail From China In an era of online shopping and global shipping , some NPR listeners have written to us with this question : Am I at risk of catching the new coronavirus from a package I receive from China ?
Almost certainly no , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` Because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces , there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concludes in its Q & A .
Infectious disease specialists we spoke with were even more definitive .
`` It 's not going to be transported on a box , '' says Dr. Michael Ison of Northwestern University , who studies viral infections among transplant patients , who have weakened immune systems .
Coronaviruses are thought to mainly spread from person to person via respiratory droplets , researchers say .
And , so far , the novel coronavirus seems to have spread only among people who were in close personal contact .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this particular coronavirus , experts have a sense of what to expect , based on experience with previous strains that have led to outbreaks of serious illness , such as SARS and MERS .
`` There is no evidence from any previous outbreak that anyone has ever gotten infected from a package , '' Elizabeth McGraw , director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Pennsylvania State University tells NPR .
McGraw says it is highly unlikely that the virus could survive for multiple days outside or inside a cardboard box , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected person had sneezed on or handled .
`` What we know about these viruses is that they do n't last very long on surfaces , and that 's particularly the case for a very porous surface '' — such as cardboard , McGraw explains .
Some viruses do survive longer than others .
And conditions such as temperature , humidity and surface material can influence how long a virus lives , explains Dr. Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security , whose work focuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses outside the host fall apart within hours in the natural environment .
`` Shipping conditions of most products are going to be not conducive to the virus remaining viable , '' Adalja told NPR 's Goats and Soda team earlier this week .
In other words , Adalja concludes : `` I do n't think it 's a real risk . ''

No, You Won't Catch The New Coronavirus Via Packages Or Mail From China
Enlarge this image toggle caption Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images
In an era of online shopping and global shipping, some NPR listeners have written to us with this question: Am I at risk of catching the new coronavirus from a package I receive from China?
Almost certainly no, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures," the CDC concludes in its Q&A.
Infectious disease specialists we spoke with were even more definitive.
"It's not going to be transported on a box," says Dr. Michael Ison of Northwestern University, who studies viral infections among transplant patients, who have weakened immune systems.
Coronaviruses are thought to mainly spread from person to person via respiratory droplets, researchers say. And, so far, the novel coronavirus seems to have spread only among people who were in close personal contact.
While there's still a lot unknown about this particular coronavirus, experts have a sense of what to expect, based on experience with previous strains that have led to outbreaks of serious illness, such as SARS and MERS.
"There is no evidence from any previous outbreak that anyone has ever gotten infected from a package," Elizabeth McGraw, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Pennsylvania State University, tells NPR.
McGraw says it is highly unlikely that the virus could survive for multiple days outside or inside a cardboard box, for example, that contains something an infected person had sneezed on or handled.
"What we know about these viruses is that they don't last very long on surfaces, and that's particularly the case for a very porous surface" such as cardboard, McGraw explains.
Some viruses do survive longer than others — and conditions such as temperature, humidity and surface material can influence how long a virus lives, explains Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, whose work focuses on emerging infectious diseases. But many viruses outside the host fall apart within hours in the natural environment.
"Shipping conditions of most products are going to be not conducive to the virus remaining viable," Adalja told NPR's Goats and Soda team earlier this week.
In other words, Adalja concludes: "I don't think it's a real risk."


npr--2020-02-02--Super Bowl Ads 2020: Strange, Serious, Smaaht, And So Very Expensive

Super Bowl Ads 2020 : Strange , Serious , Smaaht , And So Very Expensive This year 's Super Bowl commercials were packed with superstar cameos and in-your-face messages — from Ellen DeGeneres speaking up for Amazon 's Alexa to an ad about organic farmland .
But they had a few unintended messages , too .
These were the stories America 's largest corporations developed to entertain , inform and sell products on the biggest stage in television – costing as much as $ 5.6 million per 30 seconds this year .
Sometimes , those stories said a lot more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consider Kia 's spot , featuring Raiders running back Josh Jacobs driving an SUV , imagining what advice he would give his younger self .
Jacobs grew up homeless on the streets of Tulsa , Okla. ; in the ad , he 's watching a young black boy sprint across the broken streets of Tulsa 's struggling neighborhoods .
`` Push yourself to be someone , '' Jacobs says , `` and I promise , someday , you will . ''
It 's nice message for a day centered on scarfing snacks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows how unlikely it is for a kid to actually become a pro football player , it 's also a sobering reminder of how much young people who are n't blessed with NFL-level athletic skills will have to achieve to escape similar circumstances .
Here 's a look at some other ads that sent double messages , along with some of the more entertaining , provocative and just plain weird commercials aired on the biggest global showcase for TV advertising : Oddest use of vaguely nationalistic language to sell beer : Budweiser 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ king of beers '' offers some championship-level pandering in this ad , which features a gritty-voiced announcer sarcastically noting how `` typical Americans '' are always showing off their strength — as images of a heroic firefighter in action play across the screen .
The ad urges viewers to celebrate the nobility of `` typical Americans . ''
But I could n't help wonder who the narrator was referencing when he said , `` they call us 'typical Americans . '
`` Who exactly is `` they ? ''
And why is Budweiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans '' to rise up against this unnamed source of insult ?
Vaguely nationalistic , condescending and solicitous all at once — hardly a regal combination .
Best wishful thinking : Little Caesars ' `` Best Thing Since Sliced Bread '' A customer getting a Little Caesars pizza delivered calls it the `` best thing since sliced bread . ''
This sends a company called `` Sliced Bread '' — led by an increasingly grizzled Rainn Wilson — into a panic , which involves crying jags and chaotic office meetings with one employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
But anyone who has tasted Little Caesars ' takeout pizza knows sliced bread probably does n't have much to worry about .
Savviest use of a billionaire 's pizza money : Michael Bloomberg 's campaign ad A Washington Post analysis found that if Bloomberg spent $ 11 million on his Super Bowl ad , it would impact his net worth like the average American buying a pizza .
For that pocket money , Bloomberg crafted a spot focused on his efforts to secure tougher gun laws , featuring the mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who dreamed of playing in the NFL , shot dead after an altercation in 2013 .
The ad does n't mention Trump or any Democratic contenders and barely features Bloomberg , who has faced sharp questions over how his stop and frisk policies disproportionately affected people of color while he was mayor of New York .
A bold example of buying your way past racial controversy and into the political conversation .
Look on the bright side award : Donald Trump 's campaign ad The president aired two ads during the Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman whose life sentence Trump commuted after lobbying from Kim Kardashian .
The other was a more traditional campaign ad with shots of the military and Trump at his beloved rallies , as complimentary economic statistics displayed on the screen featuring the tagline `` Stronger , safer , more prosperous . ''
One ad seemed aimed right at his base supporters , while the other was a rare pitch to those who might not be among his core voters .
Impeachment ?
What impeachment ?
Weirdest use of a celebrity , Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were actually two ads created starring the heavily tattooed rapper/songwriter : Fans picked the one that would land in the game .
Both took viewers inside Malone 's mind as various characters debated his reaction to drinking Bud Light hard seltzer .
My fave , which did n't air during the Big Game , shows Malone , who has tats around his eyebrows and eyes , decked out in a white sweater yelling at his spleen in a bar , like an accountant on mescaline .
Weirdest use of a celebrity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hammer 's head pops out of a rolled-up carpet and a coiled water hose as his signature hit `` U Ca n't Touch This '' plays .
The joke : A young guy eating new Cheetos popcorn ca n't touch anything — declining to help somebody move furniture , for example — because his fingers are coated in yellow dust .
Why Cheetos would remind us of one of the most annoying elements of its product in a mega-expensive Super Bowl commercial is beyond me .
But I 'm glad to see Hammer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Best use of a '90s movie to sell a modern product : Jeep 's `` Groundhog Day '' Bill Murray provides one of the best celebrity Super Bowl ad appearances this year , re-creating his 1993 movie Groundhog Day with a twist .
This time , he steals the groundhog in a Jeep Gladiator truck , living a new adventure every day thanks to his great car .
The scene where Murray is playing a Whack-A-Mole game , assuring the groundhog it 's nothing personal , was simply priceless .
Best use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Hyundai 's Smaaht Paahk The carmaker won the pre-Super Bowl competition for attention with this ad — featured in loads of preview stories about the game 's commercials — with Chris Evans , Rachel Dratch and John Krasinski deploying their best Boston patois .
They 're touting Hyundai 's `` remote smart park '' feature , which guides cars into tight spaces on its own , while lampooning all the cartoonishly thick accents actors take on for roles set in Beantown .
( Best of all , the ad has subtitles with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paahk '' `` smahtypants '' and `` clickah . ''
)

Super Bowl Ads 2020: Strange, Serious, Smaaht, And So Very Expensive
Kia Motors America via YouTube
This year's Super Bowl commercials were packed with superstar cameos and in-your-face messages — from Ellen DeGeneres speaking up for Amazon's Alexa to an ad about organic farmland. But they had a few unintended messages, too.
These were the stories America's largest corporations developed to entertain, inform and sell products on the biggest stage in television – costing as much as $5.6 million per 30 seconds this year. Sometimes, those stories said a lot more than their sponsors may have intended.
Consider Kia's spot, featuring Raiders running back Josh Jacobs driving an SUV, imagining what advice he would give his younger self. Jacobs grew up homeless on the streets of Tulsa, Okla.; in the ad, he's watching a young black boy sprint across the broken streets of Tulsa's struggling neighborhoods. "Push yourself to be someone," Jacobs says, "and I promise, someday, you will."
It's nice message for a day centered on scarfing snacks and watching football. But for anyone who knows how unlikely it is for a kid to actually become a pro football player, it's also a sobering reminder of how much young people who aren't blessed with NFL-level athletic skills will have to achieve to escape similar circumstances.
Here's a look at some other ads that sent double messages, along with some of the more entertaining, provocative and just plain weird commercials aired on the biggest global showcase for TV advertising:
Oddest use of vaguely nationalistic language to sell beer: Budweiser's "Typical American"
The self-styled "king of beers" offers some championship-level pandering in this ad, which features a gritty-voiced announcer sarcastically noting how "typical Americans" are always showing off their strength — as images of a heroic firefighter in action play across the screen. The ad urges viewers to celebrate the nobility of "typical Americans." But I couldn't help wonder who the narrator was referencing when he said, "they call us 'typical Americans.' " Who exactly is "they?" And why is Budweiser developing brand loyalty by urging "typical Americans" to rise up against this unnamed source of insult? Vaguely nationalistic, condescending and solicitous all at once — hardly a regal combination.
Budweiser via YouTube
Best wishful thinking: Little Caesars' "Best Thing Since Sliced Bread"
A customer getting a Little Caesars pizza delivered calls it the "best thing since sliced bread." This sends a company called "Sliced Bread" — led by an increasingly grizzled Rainn Wilson — into a panic, which involves crying jags and chaotic office meetings with one employee riding an ostrich around. (Really.) But anyone who has tasted Little Caesars' takeout pizza knows sliced bread probably doesn't have much to worry about.
Little Caesars Pizza via YouTube
Savviest use of a billionaire's pizza money: Michael Bloomberg's campaign ad
A Washington Post analysis found that if Bloomberg spent $11 million on his Super Bowl ad, it would impact his net worth like the average American buying a pizza. For that pocket money, Bloomberg crafted a spot focused on his efforts to secure tougher gun laws, featuring the mother of George Kemp Jr. — a young black man who dreamed of playing in the NFL, shot dead after an altercation in 2013. The ad doesn't mention Trump or any Democratic contenders and barely features Bloomberg, who has faced sharp questions over how his stop and frisk policies disproportionately affected people of color while he was mayor of New York. A bold example of buying your way past racial controversy and into the political conversation.
Mike Bloomberg via YouTube
Look on the bright side award: Donald Trump's campaign ad
The president aired two ads during the Super Bowl; one featured Alice Johnson, a woman whose life sentence Trump commuted after lobbying from Kim Kardashian. The other was a more traditional campaign ad with shots of the military and Trump at his beloved rallies, as complimentary economic statistics displayed on the screen featuring the tagline "Stronger, safer, more prosperous." One ad seemed aimed right at his base supporters, while the other was a rare pitch to those who might not be among his core voters. Impeachment? What impeachment?
Donald J Trump via YouTube
Weirdest use of a celebrity, Part 1: Post Malone for Bud Light
There were actually two ads created starring the heavily tattooed rapper/songwriter: Fans picked the one that would land in the game. Both took viewers inside Malone's mind as various characters debated his reaction to drinking Bud Light hard seltzer. My fave, which didn't air during the Big Game, shows Malone, who has tats around his eyebrows and eyes, decked out in a white sweater yelling at his spleen in a bar, like an accountant on mescaline.
Bud Light via YouTube
Weirdest use of a celebrity, Part 2: MC Hammer for Cheetos
Hammer's head pops out of a rolled-up carpet and a coiled water hose as his signature hit "U Can't Touch This" plays. The joke: A young guy eating new Cheetos popcorn can't touch anything — declining to help somebody move furniture, for example — because his fingers are coated in yellow dust. Why Cheetos would remind us of one of the most annoying elements of its product in a mega-expensive Super Bowl commercial is beyond me. But I'm glad to see Hammer can still squeeze into those genie pants.
Cheetos via YouTube
Best use of a '90s movie to sell a modern product: Jeep's "Groundhog Day"
Bill Murray provides one of the best celebrity Super Bowl ad appearances this year, re-creating his 1993 movie Groundhog Day with a twist. This time, he steals the groundhog in a Jeep Gladiator truck, living a new adventure every day thanks to his great car. The scene where Murray is playing a Whack-A-Mole game, assuring the groundhog it's nothing personal, was simply priceless.
Jeep via YouTube
Best use of a Boston accent since The Departed: Hyundai's Smaaht Paahk
The carmaker won the pre-Super Bowl competition for attention with this ad — featured in loads of preview stories about the game's commercials — with Chris Evans, Rachel Dratch and John Krasinski deploying their best Boston patois. They're touting Hyundai's "remote smart park" feature, which guides cars into tight spaces on its own, while lampooning all the cartoonishly thick accents actors take on for roles set in Beantown. (Best of all, the ad has subtitles with words like "caah," "paahk" "smahtypants" and "clickah.")


npr--2020-02-02--Why A Day Like Sunday Hasn't Been Seen In 900 Years

Why A Day Like Sunday Has n't Been Seen In 900 Years Maybe symmetry is inherently pleasing .
Perhaps it is the whiff of cosmic clout .
Or it could be that in our divided times , uniting over something as indisputable as the date is just the divertissement we crave .
Whatever the case , Sunday 's super-rare date of 02-02-2020 , the only eight-digit global palindrome of the century , has people talking , with # PalindromeDay trending on Twitter .
Palindrome derives from the Greek word for running back again , and defines a number , word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward and backward .
( Think : `` Madam , in Eden , I 'm Adam . ''
) Palindromic dates have long been viewed as carrying special significance and even spirituality .
Adding to the universal appeal and rarity of Sunday 's date is its achieving the eight-digit palindrome pinnacle , working in the cross-cultural formats of MM-DD-YYYY and DD-MM-YYYY .
Aziz Inan is professor of electrical engineering at the University of Portland and a palindrome aficionado .
Tracing back and looking ahead over centuries , he mines palindromes like gems and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight-digit palindrome date was 908 years ago on 11-11-1111 .
`` I tell my students they are lucky to have such a date in their lifetime , '' Inan tells The Oregonian .
While the U.S. was marking the palindrome of 11-02-2011 , in the U.K. , it was 02-11-2011 , or just another Wednesday .
But on Sunday , the Brits got in on the fun .
The math department at the Solihull School in the U.K. calculated some palindromic bonuses ; Sunday also happens to fall on the 33rd day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the year .
( 2020 is a leap year and with the added day in February has 366 days . )
Ivanka Trump points out to her 7.6 million Twitter followers that most of us wo n't be around on the the next eight-digit palindrome date of 12-12-2121 .
After that , it will be 908-year wait until the next one on 03-03-3030 .
Other palindromes using fewer digits , like 8-10-18 , are more commonplace .
Some couples view palindromes as dates to seize the day and take the plunge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today marks the first specialty date of the month !
Congratulations to all the wonderful couples getting married on this day of 2/2/20 ! ''
But in China , where officials are trying to get ahead of the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak , the date saw a surge of couples registering to wed , spurring the government to advise couples to postpone their weddings .
The civil affairs administration said the registration process involves an official portrait , requiring people to remove their masks , a move deemed too risky in the outbreak that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed more than 300 .
`` Where marriage registrations have been announced or promised for February 2 this year , you are advised to cancel it and explain the situation to others , '' the notice said , according to VOA .
The ministry also asked for funerals to be held in a `` simple and expeditious manner to avoid gatherings of people . ''

Why A Day Like Sunday Hasn't Been Seen In 900 Years
Maybe symmetry is inherently pleasing. Perhaps it is the whiff of cosmic clout. Or it could be that in our divided times, uniting over something as indisputable as the date is just the divertissement we crave.
Whatever the case, Sunday's super-rare date of 02-02-2020, the only eight-digit global palindrome of the century, has people talking, with #PalindromeDay trending on Twitter.
Palindrome derives from the Greek word for running back again, and defines a number, word or phrase that is the same read forward and backward. (Think: "Madam, in Eden, I'm Adam.")
Palindromic dates have long been viewed as carrying special significance and even spirituality. Adding to the universal appeal and rarity of Sunday's date is its achieving the eight-digit palindrome pinnacle, working in the cross-cultural formats of MM-DD-YYYY and DD-MM-YYYY.
Aziz Inan is professor of electrical engineering at the University of Portland and a palindrome aficionado. Tracing back and looking ahead over centuries, he mines palindromes like gems and says the last time we had an eight-digit palindrome date was 908 years ago on 11-11-1111.
"I tell my students they are lucky to have such a date in their lifetime," Inan tells The Oregonian.
While the U.S. was marking the palindrome of 11-02-2011, in the U.K., it was 02-11-2011, or just another Wednesday.
But on Sunday, the Brits got in on the fun. The math department at the Solihull School in the U.K. calculated some palindromic bonuses; Sunday also happens to fall on the 33rd day of the year, with 333 days remaining in the year. (2020 is a leap year and with the added day in February has 366 days.)
Ivanka Trump points out to her 7.6 million Twitter followers that most of us won't be around on the the next eight-digit palindrome date of 12-12-2121.
After that, it will be 908-year wait until the next one on 03-03-3030.
Other palindromes using fewer digits, like 8-10-18, are more commonplace.
Some couples view palindromes as dates to seize the day and take the plunge.
Little Vegas Chapel tweeted Sunday, "Today marks the first specialty date of the month! Congratulations to all the wonderful couples getting married on this day of 2/2/20!"
But in China, where officials are trying to get ahead of the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, the date saw a surge of couples registering to wed, spurring the government to advise couples to postpone their weddings.
The civil affairs administration said the registration process involves an official portrait, requiring people to remove their masks, a move deemed too risky in the outbreak that's infected more than 14,000 people and killed more than 300.
"Where marriage registrations have been announced or promised for February 2 this year, you are advised to cancel it and explain the situation to others," the notice said, according to VOA.
The ministry also asked for funerals to be held in a "simple and expeditious manner to avoid gatherings of people."