npr--2020-01-24--As Esports Take Off, High School Leagues Get In The Game

As Esports Take Off , High School Leagues Get In The Game Nowadays , if you 're a teenager who 's good at video games there 's a lot more to be had than just a pot of virtual gold .
Today , more than 170 colleges and universities participate .
And there 's money on the table — more than $ 16 million in college scholarships .
Naturally , high schools have followed suit .
This year , 17 states and the District of Columbia are offering formal esports teams .
Kids perfect their skills alongside teammates with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They run drills , develop strategy , review game footage and compete against other teams across their state .
But most high schools do n't house their esports teams under athletics .
In Virginia , the league is considered an academic activity .
Scooter Norton is a senior and captain of Washington-Liberty 's Rocket League Team .
He and his teammates Calvin Forinash and Matthew Goodwin have known one another since they were in kindergarten and have been playing Rocket League together for three years .
`` When this opportunity came around , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hesitation from us about whether we would do it .
It was just a matter of whether our parents would let us , '' Forinash says .
All three said their parents have at times resisted their desire to play video games .
`` My dad really kind of struggles to accept that I want to have this as an extracurricular activity , '' Goodwin says .
`` My mom has been pretty chill about it , but my dad still has a learning curve . ''
Goodwin is a dedicated soccer player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team next year .
He says that when talking to his dad , he tries to explain how the two activities are n't that different .
`` We 're playing soccer with cars and it 's just on a screen , '' Goodwin says .
`` There is n't a big difference between the two except that one requires actual physical activity . ''
In some cases , the decision of high schools to begin offering competitive esports leagues as a school sponsored extracurricular has been enough to change parents ' minds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that while she and her husband always supported their children 's athletics without question , esports were a source of conflict .
She pushed to limit Norton 's time spent playing — and still monitors it — which led to many fights .
But since the Virginia High School League decided to offer this year 's esports pilot she says her perspective has changed substantially .
`` It makes a difference not just for the parents but also for the kids , '' says Perera .
`` It 's something they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for school pride . ''
And Norton says he 's noticed a difference too .
`` We 've taken a different approach now that we are playing in a league , '' says Norton .
`` We 've started actually practicing rather than just getting on and playing for a couple of hours .
We 're starting to implement different types of drills , different things for us to focus on , that will help us improve as a team faster than just playing the game would . ''
Before , says Norton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not with a set goal in mind .
Now , with the league , their practices are more targeted and their goals are clear .
And despite the pressure of competition and the desire to win , all three players say their time spent playing Rocket League has n't increased since the league started .
If anything , they might play slightly less .
Miles Carey is an assistant principal at Washington-Liberty .
He coaches the school 's League of Legends Team and oversees the esports program at large .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we want to support it , I have to do a lot less explaining , '' says Carey .
Carey started the school 's gaming club three years ago .
Since then he 's seen the benefits of allowing students to practice the games they 're already playing in a structured environment .
`` If a kid is playing basketball 10 hours a week in the park , why not give them a structured environment to play it , '' Carey says .
`` I think it is great for kids to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , make it a way to connect with the school and learn more from it . ''
Carey says when it comes to the benefits of playing esports there 's a lot of overlap with traditional sports .
Students learn teamwork and communication .
How to handle stress and overcome failure .
They work to balance time spent playing their sport against other commitments .
Carey says his students are more comfortable with technology .
Some of them have even learned how to build their own computers in pursuit of having the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students who play esports at Washington-Liberty are involved in another school sponsored activity , a third of them are not .
The success of high school esports is dependent on the accessibility of necessary technology .
PlayVS , which launched in April 2018 , provides and manages the technical platform that allows high schools in the United States to create esports teams and participate in leagues with neighboring schools .
It costs $ 64 per student , per league , per season .
Sometimes this fee is paid by the student 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough money set aside to cover the cost themselves .
The software allows the teams to battle remotely .
In the digital age , this may seem unsurprising , but in the early 2000s , to compete against one another , gamers had to physically wire their computers together .
This meant dragging your computer to a local area network , or an LAN .
Today , LANs are still considered the purest form of esports competition , since players are in the same location , eliminating the possibility of lag due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new software , like that provided by PlayVS , high school players can verse opponents from across the state in real time .
And by partnering with game publishers , PlayVS is able to pull data from matches and track player performance .
These tools are important to coaches , but also to recruiters , looking to attract talented esports players to top universities and colleges .
`` There was an opportunity to actually engage them in a competition where the incentive could be something that 's meaningful to them at that stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school championship is within your state , '' says PlayVS CEO and founder Delane Parnell .
And while the platform does provide the necessary tools for students to get recruited by colleges and maybe , one day go pro , Parnell says when he created PlayVS , he was mostly thinking about the kids that simply play for fun .
`` Less than 1 percent of kids will go pro , '' Parnell says .
`` We actually are focused on making sure that the 99 percent of kids who just care about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and want to be celebrated for a talent that they have are actually able to do so . ''
`` I do n't think of any of us think that we 're gon na go pro and I think it 's good for us to realize that so that we do n't accidentally put too much time into it and not end up getting anything out of it , '' he says .
`` We understand enough about what we can do with this that we are putting in a relatively healthy amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can still do other stuff , but still enjoy the game as well . ''
But even if they do n't go pro , esports presents other professional opportunities .
Jason Chung , an assistant professor of Esports Management and executive director of Esports at the University of New Haven 's College of Business , says that as the industry continues to grow there are plenty of other ways to be involved .
There 's esports marketing , business management and game development .
Players need physical therapists , trainers , coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionalization of the industry has also helped erode negative gaming stereotypes .
Esports has shown that gaming does n't have to be solitary and instead can be incredibly communal .
It has also pushed back against the idea of all gamers as individuals who are physically unfit .
`` I think in a certain way there has been some truth to the narrative , in terms of the stereotypes of gamers , as chugging Mountain Dew and eating Doritos in a basement .
That was a stereotype for a reason , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is largely no longer the case .
`` I think the thing that 's changed now in the professional space is that they 're realizing that just having screen time and training , is not sufficient , '' says Chung .
`` You need to do other things to make the athletes healthy all around . ''
While Chung believes that esports belong in high schools , he believes that politicians and administrators need to take a bigger role to regulate esports before it gets too big .
`` I 'd like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by state and local actors and hopefully with some federal coordination to really outline what principles and what sort of values they want to instill [ through esports ] , '' Chung says .
`` What are some of the physical fitness requirements you want to actually put in there ?
Because ultimately , whether it 's a sport or a tech product or whatever it is , if we 're going to have high school age kids play it , you want to have some sort of healthy mindset in there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local high schools is a step in the right direction and helps prevent players from getting burned out too early or from developing `` toxic behavior . ''
`` I think what makes this more sustainable overall is that we 're actually providing a structured environment for kids to play video games , which they would otherwise do unstructured , '' Parnell says .
`` We 've implemented a coach , which is an adult in the room and that is super important . ''
This year Virginia is piloting their esports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and funds are available they 'll offer it again next year , if not , then it 's game over .

As Esports Take Off, High School Leagues Get In The Game
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kisha Ravi/NPR Kisha Ravi/NPR
Nowadays, if you're a teenager who's good at video games there's a lot more to be had than just a pot of virtual gold.
There's college scholarships, tournament money and high salary jobs.
Today, more than 170 colleges and universities participate. And there's money on the table — more than $16 million in college scholarships. Naturally, high schools have followed suit.
This year, 17 states and the District of Columbia are offering formal esports teams.
Kids perfect their skills alongside teammates with the help of a high school coach. They run drills, develop strategy, review game footage and compete against other teams across their state.
But most high schools don't house their esports teams under athletics. In Virginia, the league is considered an academic activity.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kisha Ravi/NPR Kisha Ravi/NPR
Scooter Norton is a senior and captain of Washington-Liberty's Rocket League Team. He and his teammates Calvin Forinash and Matthew Goodwin have known one another since they were in kindergarten and have been playing Rocket League together for three years.
"When this opportunity came around, I don't think there was any hesitation from us about whether we would do it. It was just a matter of whether our parents would let us," Forinash says.
All three said their parents have at times resisted their desire to play video games.
"My dad really kind of struggles to accept that I want to have this as an extracurricular activity," Goodwin says. "My mom has been pretty chill about it, but my dad still has a learning curve."
Goodwin is a dedicated soccer player and will be playing on his college team next year. He says that when talking to his dad, he tries to explain how the two activities aren't that different.
"We're playing soccer with cars and it's just on a screen," Goodwin says. "There isn't a big difference between the two except that one requires actual physical activity."
In some cases, the decision of high schools to begin offering competitive esports leagues as a school sponsored extracurricular has been enough to change parents' minds.
Scooter Norton's mother, Cynthia Perera says that while she and her husband always supported their children's athletics without question, esports were a source of conflict.
She pushed to limit Norton's time spent playing — and still monitors it — which led to many fights.
But since the Virginia High School League decided to offer this year's esports pilot she says her perspective has changed substantially.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kisha Ravi/NPR Kisha Ravi/NPR
"It makes a difference not just for the parents but also for the kids," says Perera. "It's something they're aiming for. There's goals here for school pride."
And Norton says he's noticed a difference too.
"We've taken a different approach now that we are playing in a league," says Norton. "We've started actually practicing rather than just getting on and playing for a couple of hours. We're starting to implement different types of drills, different things for us to focus on, that will help us improve as a team faster than just playing the game would."
Before, says Norton, they were playing to improve, but not with a set goal in mind. Now, with the league, their practices are more targeted and their goals are clear.
And despite the pressure of competition and the desire to win, all three players say their time spent playing Rocket League hasn't increased since the league started. If anything, they might play slightly less.
Miles Carey is an assistant principal at Washington-Liberty. He coaches the school's League of Legends Team and oversees the esports program at large.
Education Esports Programs Plug Students Into Careers Esports Programs Plug Students Into Careers Listen · 4:26 4:26
"When the state says this is academically valid and we want to support it, I have to do a lot less explaining," says Carey.
Carey started the school's gaming club three years ago. Since then he's seen the benefits of allowing students to practice the games they're already playing in a structured environment.
"If a kid is playing basketball 10 hours a week in the park, why not give them a structured environment to play it," Carey says. "I think it is great for kids to take something they are already passionate about, make it a way to connect with the school and learn more from it."
Carey says when it comes to the benefits of playing esports there's a lot of overlap with traditional sports.
Students learn teamwork and communication. How to handle stress and overcome failure. They work to balance time spent playing their sport against other commitments.
Carey says his students are more comfortable with technology. Some of them have even learned how to build their own computers in pursuit of having the best gaming machine.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kisha Ravi/NPR Kisha Ravi/NPR
And while the majority of students who play esports at Washington-Liberty are involved in another school sponsored activity, a third of them are not.
The success of high school esports is dependent on the accessibility of necessary technology.
PlayVS, which launched in April 2018, provides and manages the technical platform that allows high schools in the United States to create esports teams and participate in leagues with neighboring schools.
It costs $64 per student, per league, per season. Sometimes this fee is paid by the student's parent or guardian, other times schools have enough money set aside to cover the cost themselves.
The software allows the teams to battle remotely. In the digital age, this may seem unsurprising, but in the early 2000s, to compete against one another, gamers had to physically wire their computers together. This meant dragging your computer to a local area network, or an LAN.
Today, LANs are still considered the purest form of esports competition, since players are in the same location, eliminating the possibility of lag due to distance. But, thanks to new software, like that provided by PlayVS, high school players can verse opponents from across the state in real time.
And by partnering with game publishers, PlayVS is able to pull data from matches and track player performance.
These tools are important to coaches, but also to recruiters, looking to attract talented esports players to top universities and colleges.
"There was an opportunity to actually engage them in a competition where the incentive could be something that's meaningful to them at that stage in their life, which a high school championship is within your state," says PlayVS CEO and founder Delane Parnell.
And while the platform does provide the necessary tools for students to get recruited by colleges and maybe, one day go pro, Parnell says when he created PlayVS, he was mostly thinking about the kids that simply play for fun.
"Less than 1 percent of kids will go pro," Parnell says. "We actually are focused on making sure that the 99 percent of kids who just care about video games and want to find community and want to be celebrated for a talent that they have are actually able to do so."
At Washington-Liberty, Rocket League player Calvin Forinash has a similar mindset.
"I don't think of any of us think that we're gonna go pro and I think it's good for us to realize that so that we don't accidentally put too much time into it and not end up getting anything out of it," he says. "We understand enough about what we can do with this that we are putting in a relatively healthy amount of time, to the point where we can still do other stuff, but still enjoy the game as well."
But even if they don't go pro, esports presents other professional opportunities.
Jason Chung, an assistant professor of Esports Management and executive director of Esports at the University of New Haven's College of Business, says that as the industry continues to grow there are plenty of other ways to be involved.
There's esports marketing, business management and game development. Players need physical therapists, trainers, coaches and team managers.
He says the professionalization of the industry has also helped erode negative gaming stereotypes. Esports has shown that gaming doesn't have to be solitary and instead can be incredibly communal.
It has also pushed back against the idea of all gamers as individuals who are physically unfit.
"I think in a certain way there has been some truth to the narrative, in terms of the stereotypes of gamers, as chugging Mountain Dew and eating Doritos in a basement. That was a stereotype for a reason," says Chung.
But, he says that is largely no longer the case.
"I think the thing that's changed now in the professional space is that they're realizing that just having screen time and training, is not sufficient," says Chung. "You need to do other things to make the athletes healthy all around."
While Chung believes that esports belong in high schools, he believes that politicians and administrators need to take a bigger role to regulate esports before it gets too big.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kisha Ravi/NPR Kisha Ravi/NPR
"I'd like to see is a little bit more leadership by state and local actors and hopefully with some federal coordination to really outline what principles and what sort of values they want to instill [through esports]," Chung says. "What are some of the physical fitness requirements you want to actually put in there? Because ultimately, whether it's a sport or a tech product or whatever it is, if we're going to have high school age kids play it, you want to have some sort of healthy mindset in there."
Parnell thinks that PlayVS's partnership with local high schools is a step in the right direction and helps prevent players from getting burned out too early or from developing "toxic behavior."
"I think what makes this more sustainable overall is that we're actually providing a structured environment for kids to play video games, which they would otherwise do unstructured," Parnell says. "We've implemented a coach, which is an adult in the room and that is super important."
This year Virginia is piloting their esports league. If enough students are interested and funds are available they'll offer it again next year, if not, then it's game over.


npr--2020-01-24--Trump Administration Threatens California Over Mandate That Insurers Cover Abortion

Just hours before President Trump addressed thousands of anti-abortion rights activists at the annual March for Life in Washington , D.C. , his administration has given its attendees reason to cheer .
The Office of Civil Rights , a division of the Department of Health and Human Services , announced Friday that it is taking action against California for requiring private insurers to cover abortions .
The office says the requirement , implemented in 2014 , violates federal conscience protections for health care providers that refuse to perform certain services on religious or moral grounds .
`` Regardless of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the American people have spoken with one voice to say that people should not be forced to participate , pay for or cover other people 's abortions , '' office Director Roger Severino told reporters on a conference call ahead of the formal announcement .
`` The Weldon amendment is very clear , '' Severino added , referring to a federal measure that was passed by Congress more than a decade ago and repeatedly renewed as part of the department 's appropriations .
`` If states receive federal funds from HHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against health plans that decline to cover or pay for abortions — period , full stop . ''
The notice issued to California on Friday demands that the state `` signal its intent to come into compliance with the law or face appropriate action . ''
However , Severino declined to detail the exact timeline or nature of that penalty — suggesting only that the appropriated funds California receives from HHS may be in jeopardy .
It is unclear why the administration is taking action now over a mandate that has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen to target only California , which is just one of a handful of states that require abortion coverage in private health insurance plans .
Severino declined to comment on `` any specific potential or active investigation . ''
Still , Trump has made no secret of his frustrations with California , which has repeatedly butted heads with his administration — not only on matters of abortion and health care , but also on issues pertaining to the environment , the U.S. Census and immigration , among other policy areas .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the president .
He has repeatedly lambasted its prominent politicians — with tweets targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gov .
Gavin Newsom , among others — and repeatedly threatened to cut off its federal relief funds for fighting wildfires .
Newsom pushed back against the threat in a statement Friday , '' Despite a federal opinion four years ago confirming California 's compliance with the Weldon Amendment , the Trump Administration would rather rile up its base to score cheap political points and risk access to care for millions than do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , referring to the Obama administration 's decision to reject a similar challenge to the state 's mandate .
`` California will continue to protect a woman 's right to choose , and we wo n't back down from defending reproductive freedom for everybody — full stop . ''
And in a tweeted statement Friday , California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that Trump and Vice President Pence `` are once again attacking women 's health in order to grandstand at today 's anti-choice rally .
Make no mistake , this action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chip away at women 's rights & access to abortion . ''
For the Trump administration , the move also marks its latest high-profile foray into the contentious abortion debate , a central issue in the 2020 presidential campaign .
Last year , HHS issued a regulation making it easier for doctors and other health care workers to refuse services for religious reasons — only to see that rule scrapped months later in federal court and picked up for consideration by the Supreme Court .
And the Office of Civil Rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused a Vermont hospital of violating federal law by forcing a nurse to participate in an abortion over her objections .
Trump 's appearance at the March for Life marked the first time a sitting president has appeared in person at the event since it was organized decades ago to protest the Supreme Court 's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide .
`` From the first day in office , '' he told the crowd in D.C. , `` I 've taken historic action to support America 's families @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Trump Administration Threatens California Over Mandate That Insurers Cover Abortion
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 1:30 p.m. ET
Just hours before President Trump addressed thousands of anti-abortion rights activists at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., his administration has given its attendees reason to cheer.
The Office of Civil Rights, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced Friday that it is taking action against California for requiring private insurers to cover abortions. The office says the requirement, implemented in 2014, violates federal conscience protections for health care providers that refuse to perform certain services on religious or moral grounds.
"Regardless of what one thinks about the legality of abortion, the American people have spoken with one voice to say that people should not be forced to participate, pay for or cover other people's abortions," office Director Roger Severino told reporters on a conference call ahead of the formal announcement.
"The Weldon amendment is very clear," Severino added, referring to a federal measure that was passed by Congress more than a decade ago and repeatedly renewed as part of the department's appropriations. "If states receive federal funds from HHS and other agencies, they cannot discriminate against health plans that decline to cover or pay for abortions — period, full stop."
The notice issued to California on Friday demands that the state "signal its intent to come into compliance with the law or face appropriate action." However, Severino declined to detail the exact timeline or nature of that penalty — suggesting only that the appropriated funds California receives from HHS may be in jeopardy.
It is unclear why the administration is taking action now over a mandate that has been in place for years and why it has chosen to target only California, which is just one of a handful of states that require abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. Severino declined to comment on "any specific potential or active investigation."
Still, Trump has made no secret of his frustrations with California, which has repeatedly butted heads with his administration — not only on matters of abortion and health care, but also on issues pertaining to the environment, the U.S. Census and immigration, among other policy areas.
The state has become something of a familiar antagonist for the president. He has repeatedly lambasted its prominent politicians — with tweets targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gov. Gavin Newsom, among others — and repeatedly threatened to cut off its federal relief funds for fighting wildfires.
Newsom pushed back against the threat in a statement Friday,
"Despite a federal opinion four years ago confirming California's compliance with the Weldon Amendment, the Trump Administration would rather rile up its base to score cheap political points and risk access to care for millions than do what's right," the governor said, referring to the Obama administration's decision to reject a similar challenge to the state's mandate.
"California will continue to protect a woman's right to choose, and we won't back down from defending reproductive freedom for everybody — full stop."
And in a tweeted statement Friday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that Trump and Vice President Pence "are once again attacking women's health in order to grandstand at today's anti-choice rally. Make no mistake, this action against CA is just one more attempt to chip away at women's rights & access to abortion."
For the Trump administration, the move also marks its latest high-profile foray into the contentious abortion debate, a central issue in the 2020 presidential campaign.
Last year, HHS issued a regulation making it easier for doctors and other health care workers to refuse services for religious reasons — only to see that rule scrapped months later in federal court and picked up for consideration by the Supreme Court. And the Office of Civil Rights, the division pressing California on Friday, accused a Vermont hospital of violating federal law by forcing a nurse to participate in an abortion over her objections.
Trump's appearance at the March for Life marked the first time a sitting president has appeared in person at the event since it was organized decades ago to protest the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.
"From the first day in office," he told the crowd in D.C., "I've taken historic action to support America's families and to protect the unborn."


npr--2020-01-24--At Least 2 People Killed In Massive Industrial Explosion In Houston

At Least 2 People Killed In Massive Industrial Explosion In Houston A massive industrial explosion in northwest Houston early Friday killed two people , left a business in ruins , knocked homes off their foundations and sent debris flying for about half a mile .
The predawn blast at a building belonging to Watson Grinding and Manufacturing , which provides industrial services such as thermal spray coatings , could be felt more than 30 miles away , Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a news conference .
Acevedo said it 's not clear whether the victims were employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the incident but that there was currently no reason to think the explosion was intentional .
Friday 's incident is just the latest in a string of industrial explosions in Texas ' Gulf Coast region , which houses numerous chemical facilities .
It 's not yet clear what caused the explosion , which jolted the area at about 4:30 a.m. local time .
`` Multiple buildings and homes had their windows broken in and doors blown off their hinges , '' Houston Public Media 's Davis Land reported .
`` [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our bed , it was so strong , '' resident Mark Brady told Click2Houston .
`` It busted out every window in our house .
It busted everybody 's garage door in around here ... and closer toward the explosion over here , it busted people 's roofs in and walls in and we do n't know what it is .
...
It 's a warzone over here . ''
One resident told the local news station that her roof of her home collapsed .
`` The whole house is ruined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceiling crashed down on all of us .
We were all trapped in there and a nice family came and helped us out .
...
It 's just trashed . ''
The moment of the explosion was caught on video by a doorbell surveillance camera , which shows a bright ball of fire light up the sky .
Authorities initially were concerned because valves on propylene tanks at the site were releasing the colorless and highly flammable gas into the air , but Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said the leak has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing site was still on fire , he said , adding that fire officials have decided to let it burn out on its own .
`` This is going to be a long-term incident .
We 're going to be out here for several days , '' Peña said .
He encouraged residents who find debris in their yards or on their roofs to call authorities .
`` We 've actually had to get some of our employees to bring in their own personal drones to actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Acevedo said .
`` We 've started a grid search for evidence . ''
The police chief also warned against any attempt to loot homes in the area .
`` This is , in essence , a disaster area right now , '' he said .
`` Word to the wise — do not get caught looting because it will not be a slap on the wrist . ''
On Friday afternoon , a law firm that says it represents multiple families whose homes were damaged filed a request for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manufacturing so that any evidence at the blast site is preserved .
Houston authorities were setting up an evacuation center for residents who need to leave their homes because of damage .
Fire and police officials had initially recommended that families leave the area , though they later urged residents to shelter in place .
The fire department said 48 people have taken shelter at a church , as the Red Cross works to find an overnight shelter for them .
A local school district , Cypress-Fairbanks , said it was closing two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several school districts have said they plan to keep students indoors for the day .
Nearby roads were being closed , and Acevedo said that would last into Saturday .
Hazmat teams are doing air quality assessments , though Peña stated : `` We have no reports of accumulation or hazards to the air quality . ''
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also said it has deployed staff to assist with those assessments at the scene .
Late last year , TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker said he has seen `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gulf Coast region . ''
`` While not all emergency events may be prevented , it is imperative that industry be accountable and held to the highest standard of compliance to ensure the safety of the state 's citizens and the protection of the environment , '' he added .
In November , an explosion at a chemical plant in Port Neches , Texas , injured three people and damaged nearby homes .
In July , more than 30 people were treated for minor injuries after a fire at an Exxon Mobil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early last year , as Houston Public Media 's Florian Martin reported , three chemical fires — one of them deadly — hit the Houston area in the span of a month .
A Houston Chronicle investigation in 2016 found that 12 petrochemical explosions , fires or toxic releases had happened in the Houston area between November 2014 and May 2016 .

At Least 2 People Killed In Massive Industrial Explosion In Houston
Enlarge this image toggle caption Collin Eaton/Reuters Collin Eaton/Reuters
Updated at 2:39 p.m. ET
A massive industrial explosion in northwest Houston early Friday killed two people, left a business in ruins, knocked homes off their foundations and sent debris flying for about half a mile.
The predawn blast at a building belonging to Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, which provides industrial services such as thermal spray coatings, could be felt more than 30 miles away, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a news conference.
Acevedo said it's not clear whether the victims were employees. He said authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the incident but that there was currently no reason to think the explosion was intentional.
Friday's incident is just the latest in a string of industrial explosions in Texas' Gulf Coast region, which houses numerous chemical facilities.
It's not yet clear what caused the explosion, which jolted the area at about 4:30 a.m. local time.
"Multiple buildings and homes had their windows broken in and doors blown off their hinges," Houston Public Media's Davis Land reported.
"[The explosion] knocked us all out of our bed, it was so strong," resident Mark Brady told Click2Houston. "It busted out every window in our house. It busted everybody's garage door in around here ... and closer toward the explosion over here, it busted people's roofs in and walls in and we don't know what it is. ... It's a warzone over here."
One resident told the local news station that her roof of her home collapsed. "The whole house is ruined," she said. "The whole ceiling crashed down on all of us. We were all trapped in there and a nice family came and helped us out. ... It's just trashed."
The moment of the explosion was caught on video by a doorbell surveillance camera, which shows a bright ball of fire light up the sky.
Authorities initially were concerned because valves on propylene tanks at the site were releasing the colorless and highly flammable gas into the air, but Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said the leak has since been contained. A small, contained area at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing site was still on fire, he said, adding that fire officials have decided to let it burn out on its own.
"This is going to be a long-term incident. We're going to be out here for several days," Peña said. He encouraged residents who find debris in their yards or on their roofs to call authorities.
"We've actually had to get some of our employees to bring in their own personal drones to actually start looking at rooftops in the vicinity," Acevedo said. "We've started a grid search for evidence."
The police chief also warned against any attempt to loot homes in the area. "This is, in essence, a disaster area right now," he said. "Word to the wise — do not get caught looting because it will not be a slap on the wrist."
On Friday afternoon, a law firm that says it represents multiple families whose homes were damaged filed a request for a temporary restraining order against Watson Grinding and Manufacturing so that any evidence at the blast site is preserved.
Houston authorities were setting up an evacuation center for residents who need to leave their homes because of damage.
Fire and police officials had initially recommended that families leave the area, though they later urged residents to shelter in place. The fire department said 48 people have taken shelter at a church, as the Red Cross works to find an overnight shelter for them.
A local school district, Cypress-Fairbanks, said it was closing two schools near the blast site on Friday. Several school districts have said they plan to keep students indoors for the day. Nearby roads were being closed, and Acevedo said that would last into Saturday.
Hazmat teams are doing air quality assessments, though Peña stated: "We have no reports of accumulation or hazards to the air quality." The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also said it has deployed staff to assist with those assessments at the scene.
Late last year, TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker said he has seen "an unacceptable trend of significant incidents impacting the Gulf Coast region."
"While not all emergency events may be prevented, it is imperative that industry be accountable and held to the highest standard of compliance to ensure the safety of the state's citizens and the protection of the environment," he added.
In November, an explosion at a chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas, injured three people and damaged nearby homes. In July, more than 30 people were treated for minor injuries after a fire at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Baytown, Texas.
And early last year, as Houston Public Media's Florian Martin reported, three chemical fires — one of them deadly — hit the Houston area in the span of a month.
A Houston Chronicle investigation in 2016 found that 12 petrochemical explosions, fires or toxic releases had happened in the Houston area between November 2014 and May 2016.


npr--2020-01-24--Drug To Prevent Premature Birth Divides Doctors, Insurers And FDA Experts

Doctors fear that the only drug approved to prevent preterm birth , the nation 's leading cause of infant mortality and disability , will no longer be available to expectant mothers .
The drug , whose brand-name version is Makena , has been in limbo since October , when an expert panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration reviewed the accumulated evidence and concluded that Makena is not effective in preventing preterm birth .
In a close vote , the panel recommended the FDA withdraw approval and pull the drug off the market .
That recommendation has sparked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Doctors are torn between two clinical studies of the drug that had differing results : An older trial of American patients at high-risk of having a pre-term delivery showed Makena 's active ingredient seemed to be effective .
But , more recently , a larger trial of lower-risk , international patients — a study conducted by the drug 's manufacturer , after the FDA 's request — suggested that the medicine did not work .
Complicating matters is the possibility that even if the FDA decides to let Makena remain for sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own versions of the drug for use , insurers might well refuse to pay .
Insurers are generally under no obligation to cover drugs just because the FDA approves them .
And Cathryn Donaldson , a spokesperson for America 's Health Insurance Plans , says AHIP is convinced by the larger , more recent trial .
`` Now it is clear it is not effective , '' she says .
This puts the FDA in a bind .
Many practicing obstetricians have been prescribing some form of the drug as standard treatment since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial — a National Institutes of Health study — showed that the synthetic hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate , or `` 17P , '' was effective in preventing preterm delivery in women with a history of preterm labor .
In 2011 , sensing a market opportunity , a drug manufacturer jumped in to offer Makena — the only branded , FDA-approved version of 17P .
Makena has since effectively cornered the market .
And if the FDA complies with the recommendation of its advisory panel to order Makena off the market , the action might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By law , if the FDA withdraws its approval for Makena , generic versions of 17P must be pulled , too , and the FDA could decide to also stop specialty pharmacies from compounding Makena 's active ingredient .
That 's why seven of the 16 members of the FDA panel have argued that removing Makena 's FDA approval could do more damage than simply leaving a drug on the market that may , or may not , work .
Cutting off all access to the drug , whether it is Makena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a big disaster , '' especially for women in disadvantaged communities who are at a higher risk of preterm birth , says Dr. George Saade , the director of maternal-fetal medicine and chief of obstetrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston .
( Saade has chaired panels awarding research grants from Makena 's manufacturer . )
`` It 's not like , Oh , they 're going to be fine , '' he says .
`` No , they 're not . ''
If Makena stays on the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to haggle over prescribing a drug that can cost an average of more than $ 10,000 per pregnancy .
If the FDA blocks further sales , a treatment that many doctors and patients rely on will disappear overnight .
Babies born prematurely can have problems breathing or digesting food or experience bleeding in their brains , among other life-threatening risks .
Some of the children who survive struggle with lifelong disabilities .
Giving them an extra few days or weeks in the womb can be transformative .
So it was considered a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its study in 2003 , showing 17P was effective at preventing delivery before 37 weeks ' gestation for many women who had previously experienced preterm birth and were carrying a single baby .
That clinical trial , which studied more than 450 women in the United States , showed that about 37 % of participants who received 17P had given birth before 37 weeks — contrasted with about 55 % of participants who received the placebo .
Researchers found no major safety concerns .
The drug seemed so clearly effective in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that all pregnant women who fit that criteria be given 17P .
`` The only problem was , no one was making it , '' says Dr. Alan Peaceman , the chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Northwestern University 's Feinberg School of Medicine and a researcher on the 2003 study .
Thus , for more than a decade , compounding pharmacies — specialty pharmacies that typically make prescription drugs for patients who have allergies or other conditions — created cheap injections of 17P @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , a weekly dose of the compounded drug cost about $ 10 to $ 20 .
For the same dose , Makena , the branded version that emerged in 2011 and cornered the market , cost about $ 1,500 from the get go .
In 2017 , a study of the drug 's cost by researchers from Harvard University found no notable difference between the outcomes of women who took Makena and women who took compounded 17P — even though the mean per-pregnancy cost of Makena was $ 10,711 more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the makers of Makena had pushed its competition , particularly low-cost compounding pharmacies , out of the market .
Many of the women at risk of preterm birth , and the babies they have , are on Medicaid .
Compounding facilities can be difficult to find .
The drug was rendered inaccessible to many of the women who doctors thought needed it most .
When Makena first arrived , doctors , advocates and , eventually , members of Congress objected to its high price .
Insurers , including government programs like Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , Makena 's manufacturer struggled to compete with the cheaper , compounded 17P .
In 2012 , it sued the FDA in an unsuccessful attempt to stop compounding — gaining some ground later that year when a meningitis outbreak caused by a different compounded drug drew federal scrutiny of specialty pharmacies .
In 2014 , the manufacturer went bankrupt and sold Makena to AMAG Pharmaceuticals , which owns the drug today .
But compounding of 17P continued until 2016 , when the FDA approved a preservative-free version of Makena and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exclusive right to make the drug , ending the compounding of 17P .
In a press release noting its victory , AMAG said at the time that about 38 % of patients were taking compounded 17P instead of Makena .
`` Ultimately , we felt pressured into prescribing the Makena because it was FDA-approved , '' Peaceman says .
`` And especially in big systems , you are discouraged from using non-FDA-approved medicines when there is an FDA-approved medicine available . ''
For years , the results of the NIH 's 2003 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials and patients : 17P , Makena 's active ingredient , had been proven to prevent preterm birth .
When Makena 's original manufacturer sought FDA approval , it cited the NIH 's results to vouch for the drug 's safety and effectiveness .
But while the FDA granted it approval to market Makena , the agency also ordered the company to conduct its own trial to confirm it was safe and effective , though with stricter requirements : Among other things , the company would have to prove the drug was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , rather than 37 .
Nearly a decade later , AMAG released the long-awaited findings of that nine-year scientific study last fall : Although the company also turned up no major safety issues , researchers could not prove Makena is effective at preventing preterm birth .
With more than 1,700 women participating , AMAG 's study was much larger than the NIH 's .
But critics say , for a clinical trial ultimately intended to prove whether Makena works for American women at a high risk of preterm birth , AMAG 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , 35 % of participants in the NIH trial had experienced preterm birth more than once , putting them at higher risk , compared with just 15 % in AMAG 's trial .
Also , the majority of participants in the NIH trial — about 59 % — were black , while the vast majority in AMAG 's trial — about 89 % — were white .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , preterm birth is more common among babies born to black mothers .
AMAG told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough women who fit its criteria in the United States — because if a woman was already taking 17P , generally speaking , then she was not eligible for the study .
And because the drug was already considered the standard of care , a lot of American women were taking it .
Instead , 61 % of women involved in the trial were from Russia and Ukraine — countries that have notably different demographics than those of the United States .
Patients from the United States made up just 23 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on AMAG 's findings , the FDA 's expert panel recommended in October , in a 9-7 vote , that the FDA withdraw its approval of Makena .
The seven dissenting members recommended keeping the drug on the market while conducting further study .
So far , pending a final FDA decision , Makena is still on the market .
The FDA does not have to accept the recommendations of its expert panels , though typically it does .
Amanda Turney , a spokesperson of the agency , says there is no established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it will withdraw its approval of Makena .
But the about-face from the expert panel about the drug 's usefulness has left all sides trying to figure out their next steps .
On Jan. 9 , AMAG announced that because of `` uncertainty '' over Makena , it would divest itself of two of its other drugs , including one that was approved by the FDA last summer .
In a statement in which the drugmaker also announced plans for its chief executive , William Heiden , to step down , Heiden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Makena 's future revenue `` makes it challenging to invest in both our promising pipeline and in the physician and consumer marketing required to support these two new products . ''
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said it will continue to monitor the issue but has not changed its guidance to doctors in the meantime .
Makena remains the standard of care for many pregnant women who have given birth prematurely in the past .
As doctors stand by for the FDA 's decision on withdrawing Makena from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn to compounding again , if Makena disappears .
However , many withdrawn drugs are added to a federal list of drugs that may not be compounded due to failures of safety or efficacy — and if Makena is withdrawn , 17P could end up on that list , too .
That decision would also be made by the FDA , after receiving the recommendation of a different panel of experts on compounding , says Jeremy Kahn , an FDA spokesperson .
Dr. Kimberly Hickey , chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Walter Reed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland , and a member of the FDA panel that voted for Makena to be withdrawn , says even if the drug is pulled from the market , obstetricians will seek out whatever version of its active ingredient remains for sale .
`` People will look for progesterone wherever they can find it , '' she said during the panel 's meeting .
`` They 're not just going to say , ' I 'm not going to treat you . '
'' Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Drug To Prevent Premature Birth Divides Doctors, Insurers And FDA Experts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Luis Davilla/Getty Images Luis Davilla/Getty Images
Doctors fear that the only drug approved to prevent preterm birth, the nation's leading cause of infant mortality and disability, will no longer be available to expectant mothers.
The drug, whose brand-name version is Makena, has been in limbo since October, when an expert panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration reviewed the accumulated evidence and concluded that Makena is not effective in preventing preterm birth.
In a close vote, the panel recommended the FDA withdraw approval and pull the drug off the market.
That recommendation has sparked a fierce debate within the health care community. Doctors are torn between two clinical studies of the drug that had differing results: An older trial of American patients at high-risk of having a pre-term delivery showed Makena's active ingredient seemed to be effective. But, more recently, a larger trial of lower-risk, international patients — a study conducted by the drug's manufacturer, after the FDA's request — suggested that the medicine did not work.
Complicating matters is the possibility that even if the FDA decides to let Makena remain for sale, or permits pharmacies to create their own versions of the drug for use, insurers might well refuse to pay.
Insurers are generally under no obligation to cover drugs just because the FDA approves them. And Cathryn Donaldson, a spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans, says AHIP is convinced by the larger, more recent trial. "Now it is clear it is not effective," she says.
This puts the FDA in a bind.
Many practicing obstetricians have been prescribing some form of the drug as standard treatment since around 2003, when the smaller clinical trial — a National Institutes of Health study — showed that the synthetic hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, or "17P," was effective in preventing preterm delivery in women with a history of preterm labor.
In 2011, sensing a market opportunity, a drug manufacturer jumped in to offer Makena — the only branded, FDA-approved version of 17P.
Makena has since effectively cornered the market. And if the FDA complies with the recommendation of its advisory panel to order Makena off the market, the action might remove all options for treating premature labor. By law, if the FDA withdraws its approval for Makena, generic versions of 17P must be pulled, too, and the FDA could decide to also stop specialty pharmacies from compounding Makena's active ingredient.
That's why seven of the 16 members of the FDA panel have argued that removing Makena's FDA approval could do more damage than simply leaving a drug on the market that may, or may not, work.
Cutting off all access to the drug, whether it is Makena or its compounded versions, would be "a big disaster," especially for women in disadvantaged communities who are at a higher risk of preterm birth, says Dr. George Saade, the director of maternal-fetal medicine and chief of obstetrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
"It's not like, Oh, they're going to be fine," he says. "No, they're not." (Saade has received about $4,450 from Makena's manufacturer since 2014, according to ProPublica's "Dollars for Docs" database. Much of that money, he says, was reimbursement for consulting, travel and fees.)
If Makena stays on the market, doctors and insurers will be left to haggle over prescribing a drug that can cost an average of more than $10,000 per pregnancy. If the FDA blocks further sales, a treatment that many doctors and patients rely on will disappear overnight.
Giving infants their best start
Babies born prematurely can have problems breathing or digesting food or experience bleeding in their brains, among other life-threatening risks. Some of the children who survive struggle with lifelong disabilities. Giving them an extra few days or weeks in the womb can be transformative.
So it was considered a major breakthrough when the NIH released the results of its study in 2003, showing 17P was effective at preventing delivery before 37 weeks' gestation for many women who had previously experienced preterm birth and were carrying a single baby.
That clinical trial, which studied more than 450 women in the United States, showed that about 37% of participants who received 17P had given birth before 37 weeks — contrasted with about 55% of participants who received the placebo. Researchers found no major safety concerns.
The drug seemed so clearly effective in that research that researchers ended the study early. And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that all pregnant women who fit that criteria be given 17P.
"The only problem was, no one was making it," says Dr. Alan Peaceman, the chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and a researcher on the 2003 study.
Thus, for more than a decade, compounding pharmacies — specialty pharmacies that typically make prescription drugs for patients who have allergies or other conditions — created cheap injections of 17P for use by pregnant women.
At the time, a weekly dose of the compounded drug cost about $10 to $20. For the same dose, Makena, the branded version that emerged in 2011 and cornered the market, cost about $1,500 from the get go.
In 2017, a study of the drug's cost by researchers from Harvard University found no notable difference between the outcomes of women who took Makena and women who took compounded 17P — even though the mean per-pregnancy cost of Makena was $10,711 more than 17P.
In less than 10 years, the makers of Makena had pushed its competition, particularly low-cost compounding pharmacies, out of the market.
How Makena cornered the market
Many of the women at risk of preterm birth, and the babies they have, are on Medicaid. Compounding facilities can be difficult to find. The drug was rendered inaccessible to many of the women who doctors thought needed it most.
When Makena first arrived, doctors, advocates and, eventually, members of Congress objected to its high price. Insurers, including government programs like Medicaid, refused to cover it.
At the time, Makena's manufacturer struggled to compete with the cheaper, compounded 17P. In 2012, it sued the FDA in an unsuccessful attempt to stop compounding — gaining some ground later that year when a meningitis outbreak caused by a different compounded drug drew federal scrutiny of specialty pharmacies.
In 2014, the manufacturer went bankrupt and sold Makena to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, which owns the drug today.
But compounding of 17P continued until 2016, when the FDA approved a preservative-free version of Makena and, in doing so, handed AMAG Pharmaceuticals the exclusive right to make the drug, ending the compounding of 17P.
In a press release noting its victory, AMAG said at the time that about 38% of patients were taking compounded 17P instead of Makena.
"Ultimately, we felt pressured into prescribing the Makena because it was FDA-approved," Peaceman says. "And especially in big systems, you are discouraged from using non-FDA-approved medicines when there is an FDA-approved medicine available."
A second clinical trial muddies the waters
For years, the results of the NIH's 2003 study reassured many doctors, insurers, health officials and patients: 17P, Makena's active ingredient, had been proven to prevent preterm birth.
When Makena's original manufacturer sought FDA approval, it cited the NIH's results to vouch for the drug's safety and effectiveness. But while the FDA granted it approval to market Makena, the agency also ordered the company to conduct its own trial to confirm it was safe and effective, though with stricter requirements: Among other things, the company would have to prove the drug was effective at preventing preterm birth before 35 weeks, rather than 37.
Nearly a decade later, AMAG released the long-awaited findings of that nine-year scientific study last fall: Although the company also turned up no major safety issues, researchers could not prove Makena is effective at preventing preterm birth.
With more than 1,700 women participating, AMAG's study was much larger than the NIH's. But critics say, for a clinical trial ultimately intended to prove whether Makena works for American women at a high risk of preterm birth, AMAG's trial was deeply flawed.
For one thing, 35% of participants in the NIH trial had experienced preterm birth more than once, putting them at higher risk, compared with just 15% in AMAG's trial.
Also, the majority of participants in the NIH trial — about 59% — were black, while the vast majority in AMAG's trial — about 89% — were white. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preterm birth is more common among babies born to black mothers.
AMAG told the FDA that it had had difficulty enrolling enough women who fit its criteria in the United States — because if a woman was already taking 17P, generally speaking, then she was not eligible for the study. And because the drug was already considered the standard of care, a lot of American women were taking it.
Instead, 61% of women involved in the trial were from Russia and Ukraine — countries that have notably different demographics than those of the United States. Patients from the United States made up just 23% of participants in the study.
Awaiting a final verdict
Based largely on AMAG's findings, the FDA's expert panel recommended in October, in a 9-7 vote, that the FDA withdraw its approval of Makena. The seven dissenting members recommended keeping the drug on the market while conducting further study.
So far, pending a final FDA decision, Makena is still on the market. The FDA does not have to accept the recommendations of its expert panels, though typically it does. Amanda Turney, a spokesperson of the agency, says there is no established timeline for when the FDA will announce whether it will withdraw its approval of Makena.
But the about-face from the expert panel about the drug's usefulness has left all sides trying to figure out their next steps.
On Jan. 9, AMAG announced that because of "uncertainty" over Makena, it would divest itself of two of its other drugs, including one that was approved by the FDA last summer. In a statement in which the drugmaker also announced plans for its chief executive, William Heiden, to step down, Heiden was quoted as saying that the ambiguity about Makena's future revenue "makes it challenging to invest in both our promising pipeline and in the physician and consumer marketing required to support these two new products."
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said it will continue to monitor the issue but has not changed its guidance to doctors in the meantime. Makena remains the standard of care for many pregnant women who have given birth prematurely in the past.
As doctors stand by for the FDA's decision on withdrawing Makena from the market, many have suggested they will turn to compounding again, if Makena disappears.
However, many withdrawn drugs are added to a federal list of drugs that may not be compounded due to failures of safety or efficacy — and if Makena is withdrawn, 17P could end up on that list, too.
That decision would also be made by the FDA, after receiving the recommendation of a different panel of experts on compounding, says Jeremy Kahn, an FDA spokesperson.
Dr. Kimberly Hickey, chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and a member of the FDA panel that voted for Makena to be withdrawn, says even if the drug is pulled from the market, obstetricians will seek out whatever version of its active ingredient remains for sale.
"People will look for progesterone wherever they can find it," she said during the panel's meeting. "They're not just going to say, 'I'm not going to treat you.'"
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-01-24--Is Davos As Bad As Critics Say? Global Leaders Weigh In

Is Davos As Bad As Critics Say ?
Global Leaders Weigh In The 50th Davos gathering ended on Friday .
It 's the annual meeting that critics love to hate .
They say the World Economic Forum 's event is just a forum for the rich and powerful to feel as if they 're making a difference .
And that their wheeling and dealing does not include input from the rest of world .
So does the conference actually do any good ?
To explore the impact of the prestigious summit on world affairs , we interviewed more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health , economic development and social justice and asked them to reflect on past efforts at Davos to improve the lives of those in low-income countries .
Although they acknowledged the summit 's exclusivity and elitism , on the whole they say that Davos has helped play a role in helping to push through some major global initiatives .
The consensus was that while Davos has some shortcomings , there are key reasons why it has been an effective forum for change .
1 .
Leaders from different fields can mix ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year brought President Trump , the musician will.i.am and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam .
Nancy Birdsall , senior fellow and president emeritus of the Center for Global Development , says that the conference does bring together people who do n't typically interact , including corporate executives , founders of nonprofits and charities and researchers and academics .
But it 's not just the elite who are invited .
Davos organizers also bring in global change makers , such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and Kenneth Roth , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare forum where activists and business moguls can mingle and talk about sustainable ways to improve the world , says Birdsall .
On Tuesday , for example , Melati Wiljsen , an 18-year old environmental activist from Bali , Indonesia , shared the stage with top executives , including Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff , LinkedIn cofounder and vice president Allen Blue , Deloitte Global CEO Punit Renjen and others .
In a group discussion , they talked about how the WEF 's new digital crowdsourcing platform can help more youth get involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanson , vice president for food , forests , water and the ocean at World Resources Institute ( WRI ) , says that he 's able to `` get several months ' worth of meetings done over the course of just four days at Davos '' because of `` the presence of all the CEOs and other leaders all in one place at the same time . ''
... but the people most affected by poverty and other issues typically are n't invited Still , critics say the conference is too exclusive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are `` absolutely not inviting the people most affected '' by the problems they hope to solve , says Adrienne Sorböm , a professor of sociology at Stockholm Centre for Organizational Research and co-author of a book about the WEF .
Climate change , for example , was a focus of Davos this year , and several studies show that the poor are more affected by climate change — yet people from this population were not proportionately represented on the summit 's invitation list .
Women , too , only make up 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year — although , the WEF notes that that 's more than ever before .
2 .
It exposes people to new ideas ... As a forum for dialogue , Davos exposes attendees to many subjects and ideas they may not encounter in their everyday lives , says Birdsall .
The topics range from automation to climate , from poverty and health to inequality — even to geopolitical peace talks .
Last year , for example , when Mohammed Hassan Mohamud , a Somali refugee , served as co-chair at Davos , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees should not just be helpless aid recipients .
Instead , he wanted the CEOs and leaders at Davos to think of how they could help them by tapping into their skills — employing them or harnessing their ideas for innovation .
Sometimes , it takes years for significant ideas that arise from conversations at Davos to become a reality .
For example , in 2015 , the BRICS countries ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) , formed a new development bank — called New Development Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds for infrastructure and development projects in their countries and other emerging economies .
According to London School of Economics professor Nicholas Stern , he and former World Bank chief economist Joseph Stiglitz actually came up with the idea at Davos in 2011 .
... but whether they act on them is another story Ideas do n't always result in action , much to the disappointment and frustration of critics .
For example , every year since 2013 , Oxfam has published a scathing report on inequality ahead of Davos that compares the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the world — many of whom are at Davos — to the rest of the population .
Year after year , the report 's top recommendations for solving inequality include increasing taxes on the wealthy and closing corporate tax loopholes .
`` They decry economic inequality , but they resist the time-tested solutions and inequality grows from year to year , '' Gawain Kripke , Oxfam America 's policy director , wrote to NPR in an email .
3 .
It serves as a big platform to launch new programs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Davos has become a popular venue for launching initiatives .
That 's `` because of the strong media presence there and because it 's an opportunity to get in front of a lot of business and finance leaders , '' wrote WRI 's Hanson to NPR .
For Hanson , that kind of exposure has been `` important for addressing big sustainability challenges , such as food loss and waste . ''
In 2016 , WRI launched its own campaign , Champions 12.3 , at Davos to build political momentum toward halving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The campaign , which is still running today , encourages governments and companies to measure how much food they 're wasting so they can better understand where and why it 's happening , and improve over time .
Other major initiatives have been announced at Davos .
In 2006 , musician Bono launched Product Red , an organization that raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria .
It does this by working with brands like Apple and Amazon to sell products with a portion of proceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davos can be a real amplifier , '' a ( RED ) spokesperson wrote to NPR in an email .
`` ( RED ) was able to get its idea and name to a big audience immediately . ''
Perhaps one of the most celebrated programs to be launched at Davos is Gavi , the Vaccine Alliance — a partnership of vaccine manufacturers , governments , donor agencies , philanthropists and researchers that supports immunization programs and vaccination campaigns in developing countries .
Since its start in 2000 , Gavi claims to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... but there has to be follow-up .
In an email to NPR , Sean Simons , the U.S. press secretary for The ONE Campaign , which has lobbied its global membership to support government funding to Gavi , pointed out that solving big global challenges like poverty and health requires the cooperation and commitment from the types of people who come to Davos : international donors , governments and the private sector .
`` When all three convene to advance the global public interest , incredible things can happen .
Just look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The billion-dollar question is : How do we ensure the enthusiasm and funding for the development programs launched at Davos continues long after Davos ? ''
Joanne Lu is a freelance journalist who covers global poverty and inequity .
Her work has appeared in Humanosphere , The Guardian , Global Washington and War is Boring .
Follow her on Twitter : @ joannelu

Is Davos As Bad As Critics Say? Global Leaders Weigh In
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The 50th Davos gathering ended on Friday. It's the annual meeting that critics love to hate. They say the World Economic Forum's event is just a forum for the rich and powerful to feel as if they're making a difference. And that their wheeling and dealing does not include input from the rest of world.
So does the conference actually do any good?
To explore the impact of the prestigious summit on world affairs, we interviewed more than half a dozen leaders in the field of global health, economic development and social justice and asked them to reflect on past efforts at Davos to improve the lives of those in low-income countries.
Although they acknowledged the summit's exclusivity and elitism, on the whole they say that Davos has helped play a role in helping to push through some major global initiatives.
The consensus was that while Davos has some shortcomings, there are key reasons why it has been an effective forum for change.
1. Leaders from different fields can mix...
Davos invitees are an elite group — this year brought President Trump, the musician will.i.am and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam.
Nancy Birdsall, senior fellow and president emeritus of the Center for Global Development, says that the conference does bring together people who don't typically interact, including corporate executives, founders of nonprofits and charities and researchers and academics.
But it's not just the elite who are invited. Davos organizers also bring in global change makers, such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and Kenneth Roth, head of Human Rights Watch.
It's a rare forum where activists and business moguls can mingle and talk about sustainable ways to improve the world, says Birdsall. On Tuesday, for example, Melati Wiljsen, an 18-year old environmental activist from Bali, Indonesia, shared the stage with top executives, including Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff, LinkedIn cofounder and vice president Allen Blue, Deloitte Global CEO Punit Renjen and others. In a group discussion, they talked about how the WEF's new digital crowdsourcing platform can help more youth get involved in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Craig Hanson, vice president for food, forests, water and the ocean at World Resources Institute (WRI), says that he's able to "get several months' worth of meetings done over the course of just four days at Davos" because of "the presence of all the CEOs and other leaders all in one place at the same time."
...but the people most affected by poverty and other issues typically aren't invited
Still, critics say the conference is too exclusive. By targeting global elites, the organizers are "absolutely not inviting the people most affected" by the problems they hope to solve, says Adrienne Sorböm, a professor of sociology at Stockholm Centre for Organizational Research and co-author of a book about the WEF.
Climate change, for example, was a focus of Davos this year, and several studies show that the poor are more affected by climate change — yet people from this population were not proportionately represented on the summit's invitation list.
Women, too, only make up 24% of the 3,000 in attendance this year — although, the WEF notes that that's more than ever before.
2. It exposes people to new ideas...
As a forum for dialogue, Davos exposes attendees to many subjects and ideas they may not encounter in their everyday lives, says Birdsall. The topics range from automation to climate, from poverty and health to inequality — even to geopolitical peace talks.
Last year, for example, when Mohammed Hassan Mohamud, a Somali refugee, served as co-chair at Davos, his goal was to convey the message that refugees should not just be helpless aid recipients. Instead, he wanted the CEOs and leaders at Davos to think of how they could help them by tapping into their skills — employing them or harnessing their ideas for innovation.
Sometimes, it takes years for significant ideas that arise from conversations at Davos to become a reality. For example, in 2015, the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), formed a new development bank — called New Development Bank — to help the bloc better mobilize funds for infrastructure and development projects in their countries and other emerging economies. According to London School of Economics professor Nicholas Stern, he and former World Bank chief economist Joseph Stiglitz actually came up with the idea at Davos in 2011.
...but whether they act on them is another story
Ideas don't always result in action, much to the disappointment and frustration of critics. For example, every year since 2013, Oxfam has published a scathing report on inequality ahead of Davos that compares the wealth of the richest 1% of people in the world — many of whom are at Davos — to the rest of the population. Year after year, the report's top recommendations for solving inequality include increasing taxes on the wealthy and closing corporate tax loopholes.
"They decry economic inequality, but they resist the time-tested solutions and inequality grows from year to year," Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America's policy director, wrote to NPR in an email.
3. It serves as a big platform to launch new programs and campaigns...
For many in global development, Davos has become a popular venue for launching initiatives. That's "because of the strong media presence there and because it's an opportunity to get in front of a lot of business and finance leaders," wrote WRI's Hanson to NPR.
For Hanson, that kind of exposure has been "important for addressing big sustainability challenges, such as food loss and waste."
In 2016, WRI launched its own campaign, Champions 12.3, at Davos to build political momentum toward halving per capita global food waste by 2030. The campaign, which is still running today, encourages governments and companies to measure how much food they're wasting so they can better understand where and why it's happening, and improve over time.
Other major initiatives have been announced at Davos. In 2006, musician Bono launched Product Red, an organization that raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It does this by working with brands like Apple and Amazon to sell products with a portion of proceeds going to the Global Fund.
"Davos can be a real amplifier," a (RED) spokesperson wrote to NPR in an email. "(RED) was able to get its idea and name to a big audience immediately."
Perhaps one of the most celebrated programs to be launched at Davos is Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — a partnership of vaccine manufacturers, governments, donor agencies, philanthropists and researchers that supports immunization programs and vaccination campaigns in developing countries. Since its start in 2000, Gavi claims to have prevented more than 13 million deaths.
...but there has to be follow-up.
In an email to NPR, Sean Simons, the U.S. press secretary for The ONE Campaign, which has lobbied its global membership to support government funding to Gavi, pointed out that solving big global challenges like poverty and health requires the cooperation and commitment from the types of people who come to Davos: international donors, governments and the private sector.
"When all three convene to advance the global public interest, incredible things can happen. Just look at Gavi," Simons wrote. "The billion-dollar question is: How do we ensure the enthusiasm and funding for the development programs launched at Davos continues long after Davos?"
Joanne Lu is a freelance journalist who covers global poverty and inequity. Her work has appeared in Humanosphere, The Guardian, Global Washington and War is Boring. Follow her on Twitter: @joannelu


npr--2020-01-24--2nd U.S. Case Of Wuhan Coronavirus Confirmed

A second person in the United States has been infected with a dangerous new coronavirus that is spreading in China , U.S. health officials announced Friday .
A woman in her 60s got infected with the virus while traveling in the Wuhan , China , area in late December and became ill after returning home to Chicago Jan. 13 , according to officials from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois and Chicago health departments .
The woman is in stable condition but is still hospitalized , primarily to prevent her from spreading the virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working to identify anyone the woman had contact with since returning home and are monitoring them for any symptoms , they said .
But the woman had limited contact with other people since returning home , did not take any public transportation and did not attend any large gatherings , so the risk to the public is low , officials said .
`` We understand that some people are worried about this virus and how it may impact Americans , '' Dr. Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC 's National Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters during a telephone briefing .
`` While this situation poses a very serious public health threat , CDC believes that the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low at this time . ''
But , Messonnier added : `` The situation continues to evolve rapidly . ''
And , she said , there are many unanswered questions about the new virus , including how easily it spreads and how often it causes serious illness .
At least 50 other possible cases in 22 states have been identified among travelers returning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the CDC .
Eleven other possible cases have tested negative for the virus , officials said .
The CDC said it has mobilized an aggressive response to the outbreak aimed at identifying and diagnosing any cases early and preventing the spread of the virus in this country .
`` Our goal is always to protect the health of Americans , '' Messonnier said .
`` We at CDC have our best people working on this problem . ''
The virus first emerged in China , where it has begun to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 830 cases of infections and at least 25 deaths to date .
In response , Chinese authorities imposed a number of dramatic measures this week to control the outbreak , including banning travel out of cities most affected .
The first U.S. case was reported earlier this week after a man returned to Washington state from a trip to the Wuhan area and became ill .
He , too , remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition .
Health officials in Washington are also identifying and monitoring anyone he had contact with since his return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else infected .
The Chicago woman did not have any symptoms while traveling but contacted her doctor after returning home and becoming ill. '' The doctor appropriately asked about travel history , quickly put a mask on the patient , helping limit the potential risk of spreading infection , '' Dr. Allison Arwady , commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health , told reporters at the briefing .
`` Her doctor then referred her directly to a hospital with infection control capabilities for further workup . ''
The hospital sent a sample @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which confirmed she was infected with the new virus .
`` I 'm pleased to report she is clinically doing well , '' Arwady said , adding she was not sick on the plane and has had `` very limited movement outside her home '' since returning .
`` And based on what we know now about this virus , our concern for transmission before symptoms develop is low .
So that is reassuring , '' she said .
The CDC is continuing to screen travelers returning from the Wuhan area of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out cards asking people to monitor themselves for possible symptoms , such as fever , coughing and difficulty breathing .
But officials acknowledged that some people who have become infected may not have symptoms since there can be a 14-day incubation period .
`` We have an aggressive response with the goal of identifying potential cases early , '' Messonnier said .
`` We want to make sure these patients get the best and most appropriate care . ''
But the outbreak is `` a rapidly changing situation both abroad and domestically .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember , this virus was only identified within the past month and there is much we do n't know yet . ''
So Messonnier cautioned that officials expected to identify more cases in the U.S. as well as among `` close contacts of travelers . ''
The virus could also spread further , she said .
The CDC was working to distribute tests for the virus to every state to help identify cases as quickly as possible , she added .
The agency is recommending against travel to affected areas , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from infection and from spreading the virus , such as frequent hand washing .
`` We have support across the entirety of the federal government and we have one of the strongest public health systems in the world , '' Messonnier said .
`` Again , while there are many unknowns , CDC believes that the immediate risk to the American public continues to be low at this time . ''

2nd U.S. Case Of Wuhan Coronavirus Confirmed
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tami Chappell/Reuters Tami Chappell/Reuters
Updated at 6:34 p.m. ET
A second person in the United States has been infected with a dangerous new coronavirus that is spreading in China, U.S. health officials announced Friday.
A woman in her 60s got infected with the virus while traveling in the Wuhan, China, area in late December and became ill after returning home to Chicago Jan. 13, according to officials from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois and Chicago health departments.
The woman is in stable condition but is still hospitalized, primarily to prevent her from spreading the virus to other people, officials said.
Officials are working to identify anyone the woman had contact with since returning home and are monitoring them for any symptoms, they said. But the woman had limited contact with other people since returning home, did not take any public transportation and did not attend any large gatherings, so the risk to the public is low, officials said.
"We understand that some people are worried about this virus and how it may impact Americans," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters during a telephone briefing. "While this situation poses a very serious public health threat, CDC believes that the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low at this time."
But, Messonnier added: "The situation continues to evolve rapidly." And, she said, there are many unanswered questions about the new virus, including how easily it spreads and how often it causes serious illness.
At least 50 other possible cases in 22 states have been identified among travelers returning from China and are currently under investigation, according to the CDC. Eleven other possible cases have tested negative for the virus, officials said.
The CDC said it has mobilized an aggressive response to the outbreak aimed at identifying and diagnosing any cases early and preventing the spread of the virus in this country.
"Our goal is always to protect the health of Americans," Messonnier said. "We at CDC have our best people working on this problem."
The virus first emerged in China, where it has begun to spread rapidly. China is reporting more than 1,000 cases of infections and at least 41 deaths to date. In response, Chinese authorities imposed a number of dramatic measures this week to control the outbreak, including banning travel out of cities most affected.
The first U.S. case was reported earlier this week after a man returned to Washington state from a trip to the Wuhan area and became ill. He, too, remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition. Health officials in Washington are also identifying and monitoring anyone he had contact with since his return but so far have not identified anyone else infected.
The Chicago woman did not have any symptoms while traveling but contacted her doctor after returning home and becoming ill.
"The doctor appropriately asked about travel history, quickly put a mask on the patient, helping limit the potential risk of spreading infection," Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, told reporters at the briefing. "Her doctor then referred her directly to a hospital with infection control capabilities for further workup."
The hospital sent a sample from the patient to the CDC, which confirmed she was infected with the new virus.
"I'm pleased to report she is clinically doing well," Arwady said, adding she was not sick on the plane and has had "very limited movement outside her home" since returning.
"And based on what we know now about this virus, our concern for transmission before symptoms develop is low. So that is reassuring," she said.
The CDC is continuing to screen travelers returning from the Wuhan area of China for any signs of infection and handing out cards asking people to monitor themselves for possible symptoms, such as fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
But officials acknowledged that some people who have become infected may not have symptoms since there can be a 14-day incubation period.
"We have an aggressive response with the goal of identifying potential cases early," Messonnier said. "We want to make sure these patients get the best and most appropriate care."
But the outbreak is "a rapidly changing situation both abroad and domestically. We're still learning. Let's remember, this virus was only identified within the past month and there is much we don't know yet."
So Messonnier cautioned that officials expected to identify more cases in the U.S. as well as among "close contacts of travelers." The virus could also spread further, she said.
The CDC was working to distribute tests for the virus to every state to help identify cases as quickly as possible, she added.
The agency is recommending against travel to affected areas, and that travelers take common-sense steps to protect themselves from infection and from spreading the virus, such as frequent hand washing.
"We have support across the entirety of the federal government and we have one of the strongest public health systems in the world," Messonnier said. "Again, while there are many unknowns, CDC believes that the immediate risk to the American public continues to be low at this time."


npr--2020-01-24--Watch Live: Democrats Hold Final Day Of Arguments Before Trump Team's Turn

House Democrats on Friday opened their third and final day of arguments that President Trump , impeached by the House , now should be convicted and removed from office by the Senate .
The president 's lawyers will get their turn to lay out the case for acquittal starting this weekend .
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , continued to lay out the arguments behind the first article of impeachment , which charges that the president abused the power of his office by withholding $ 391 million in military aid to Ukraine while he pressured the Ukrainian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
As Schiff did so , he played a clip of the late Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz. , saying , `` We are all Ukrainians . ''
Schiff also asked senators , `` Do you think for a moment that any of you , no matter what your relationship with this president , no matter how close you are to this president , do you think for a moment that if he felt it was in his interest , he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you think for a moment that he would n't ? ''
He added , `` And if somewhere deep down below , you realize that he would , you can not leave a man like that in office . ''
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , another manager , charged that Trump `` created a toxic mess at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . ''
He said Trump `` tried to cheat , he got caught , and then he worked hard to cover it up . ''
House manager Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respect the Congress .
He does not have to respect the representatives of the people .
Only his will goes .
He is a dictator .
This must not stand . ''
Trump 's legal team is set to begin its own opening arguments on Saturday at 10 a.m .
ET .
The lawyers will speak for about three hours on Saturday to lay out `` coming attractions '' for the impeachment trial next week — including a discussion of efforts to dig up dirt on Trump during his 2016 election campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spy Christopher Steele — said Jay Sekulow , one of Trump 's attorneys .
Sekulow told reporters on Capitol Hill on Friday that Trump 's team will respond to issues raised by Democratic House managers , including foreign interference in the 2016 election and the hiring of Hunter Biden by a Ukrainian gas company .
Like the House managers , Trump 's lawyers have 24 hours over three days to make their case , before a period of questioning by the senators .
Trump had weighed in against a long Saturday session , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is called Death Valley in T.V . ''
Outside the Senate chamber , Republicans and Democrats continued their debate over whether additional witnesses should be called .
Arguments were aimed in particular at a handful of Republican senators , such as Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah , who might be persuaded one way or the other .
Republicans have been arguing that hearing from additional witnesses would stretch out the proceedings , particularly if the Trump administration challenges the subpoenas as a violation of executive privilege .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conceal some of its workings from the public .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said it could `` destroy executive privilege , '' if Democrats insisted on calling witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton or acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney .
Schiff scoffed at the notion that the Senate should refrain from calling witnesses over such a possibility .
Moreover , he argued , executive privilege is to protect legitimate deliberations and ca n't be used to shield wrongdoing .
`` This is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket ; this is an impeachment trial involving the president of the United States , '' Schiff told reporters .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said that if subpoenas were issued by the Senate , `` by definition , the subpoenas will be bipartisan and they will be signed by the chief justice of the United States '' — implying they would have additional weight and be less likely to be challenged in court .
The president and his supporters have maintained that Trump had real concerns about corruption in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not driven by a desire to boost Trump 's own political prospects .
They say it is Democrats who are seeking political gain by launching an inquiry in the first place .
Republicans have largely stood by Trump , and because they hold a majority in the Senate , Trump is likely to be acquitted of both charges .
Read more about the Senate trial process here .

Democrats Finish Final Day Of Arguments Before Trump Team's Turn
Enlarge this image toggle caption Senate Television via AP Senate Television via AP
Updated at 9:00 p.m. ET
House Democrats on Friday finished their third and final day of arguments that President Trump, impeached by the House, now should be convicted and removed from office by the Senate.
The president's lawyers will get their turn to lay out the case for acquittal starting this weekend.
"A toxic mess"
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, D-Calif., continued to lay out the arguments behind the first article of impeachment, which charges that the president abused the power of his office by withholding $391 million in military aid to Ukraine while he pressured the Ukrainian government to open an investigation into the activities there of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
As Schiff did so, he played a clip of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saying, "We are all Ukrainians."
Schiff also asked senators, "Do you think for a moment that any of you, no matter what your relationship with this president, no matter how close you are to this president, do you think for a moment that if he felt it was in his interest, he wouldn't ask you to be investigated? Do you think for a moment that he wouldn't?"
He added, "And if somewhere deep down below, you realize that he would, you cannot leave a man like that in office."
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., another manager, charged that Trump "created a toxic mess at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." He said Trump "tried to cheat, he got caught, and then he worked hard to cover it up."
House manager Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y, said Trump "does not have to respect the Congress. He does not have to respect the representatives of the people. Only his will goes. He is a dictator. This must not stand."
As Schiff finished the Democrats' 24 hours of opening arguments just before 9 p.m. Friday, he pleaded with his last words to the Senators present.
"I implore you, give America a fair trial," Schiff said. "She's worth it."
Defense of the president
Trump's legal team is set to begin its own opening arguments on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.
The lawyers will speak for about three hours on Saturday to lay out "coming attractions" for the impeachment trial next week — including a discussion of efforts to dig up dirt on Trump during his 2016 election campaign through a dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele — said Jay Sekulow, one of Trump's attorneys.
Sekulow told reporters on Capitol Hill on Friday that Trump's team will respond to issues raised by Democratic House managers, including foreign interference in the 2016 election and the hiring of Hunter Biden by a Ukrainian gas company.
Like the House managers, Trump's lawyers have 24 hours over three days to make their case, before a period of questioning by the senators.
Trump had weighed in against a long Saturday session, tweeting on Friday morning that Saturday "is called Death Valley in T.V."
Loading...
The question of executive privilege
Outside the Senate chamber, Republicans and Democrats continued their debate over whether additional witnesses should be called. Arguments were aimed in particular at a handful of Republican senators, such as Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah, who might be persuaded one way or the other.
Republicans have been arguing that hearing from additional witnesses would stretch out the proceedings, particularly if the Trump administration challenges the subpoenas as a violation of executive privilege. That's the doctrine that permits a presidential administration to conceal some of its workings from the public.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said it could "destroy executive privilege," if Democrats insisted on calling witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton or acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
Schiff scoffed at the notion that the Senate should refrain from calling witnesses over such a possibility. Moreover, he argued, executive privilege is to protect legitimate deliberations and can't be used to shield wrongdoing.
"This is not a trial over a speeding ticket or shopping ticket; this is an impeachment trial involving the president of the United States," Schiff told reporters.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that if subpoenas were issued by the Senate, "by definition, the subpoenas will be bipartisan and they will be signed by the chief justice of the United States" — implying they would have additional weight and be less likely to be challenged in court.
The president and his supporters have maintained that Trump had real concerns about corruption in Ukraine, saying the call for probes was not driven by a desire to boost Trump's own political prospects. They say it is Democrats who are seeking political gain by launching an inquiry in the first place.
Republicans have largely stood by Trump, and because they hold a majority in the Senate, Trump is likely to be acquitted of both charges.
Read more about the Senate trial process here.
NPR's Roberta Rampton contributed to this story.