npr--2020-07-23--'Maybe I'm Not As Safe As Before': Turkish Admiral Seeking Asylum In U.S. Speaks Out

'Maybe I 'm Not As Safe As Before ' : Turkish Admiral Seeking Asylum In U.S .
Speaks Out Turkish Rear Admiral Mustafa Ugurlu , a top officer at a NATO training command in Norfolk , Va. , was just wrapping up a meeting when an aide rushed up to him .
`` There is something happening in Turkey , '' he said on that July day in 2016 .
A major bridge was closed to traffic in Istanbul and Turkish Armed forces were staging a coup .
Tanks were in the streets .
Helicopters and war planes streaked across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call senior officers in Turkey .
He could n't get through .
The admiral walked back to his office .
`` A military coup ? ''
he said to himself .
`` During primetime on a Friday evening , by closing the most heavily trafficked bridge in Istanbul ?
This was shockingly poor strategy . ''
He brushed aside the story .
Two weeks later , Ugurlu would himself be charged with taking part in the coup , with the help of the U.S. and NATO .
His picture appeared in the Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his job and ordered home .
Instead , he decided to seek asylum in the United States , with some two dozen fellow Turkish officers who worked at the NATO training command .
They all spoke with NPR a few months after the failed coup , denied they were involved , insisted their names not be used and their voices disguised on the radio , fearing retribution .
Now , as the most senior officer , Ugurlu has now decided to speak openly .
Why ?
`` Nothing has changed '' in Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become more and more repressive .
`` And I want something to be changed because Turkey , my country home , that is in a bad condition and I decided to speak my own voice . ''
The admiral and the other officers in the Norfolk area watched as thousands of their colleagues were arrested , including some of his close friends .
`` Almost all of my classmates are in jail , for life in prison without parole , '' he says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after the coup attempt .
And they were just on holiday or somewhere just like me .
They were not guilty , I believe . ''
The Turkish embassy said in a statement to NPR that there is still an arrest warrant for the admiral , and questioned why he wo n't return home .
`` Why would a high ranking military general seek asylum and refuse to go back to Turkey , if he were not affiliated with the cult that perpetrated the coup attempt ? ''
The Embassy also alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coup are in the U. S. Ugurlu , 54 , rose to two-star rank in the Turkish Navy , commanding warships , taking part in the campaign in the Balkans , and working at a NATO command in Italy .
American military officers privately say that a number of officers arrested with whom they worked closely were clearly not culpable in the coup , but were suspect because they either worked for NATO or spent time in the US .
The arrests continue in Turkey , four years after the failed coup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lawyers , teachers and journalists are facing trial .
Some 130,000 have lost their jobs .
And with the fourth anniversary of the alleged coup , July 15 is now `` New Democracy and National Unity Day . ''
For his part , President Erdogan marked the fourth anniversary by once again insisting that the coup was instigated by the followers of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen , a onetime Erdogan ally who is now living in Pennsylvania .
Gulen strongly denies any involvement .
They tried to `` shackle this freedom-loving nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ergodan said .
Urgurlu and some of his fellow officers are convinced that it was Erdogan himself who staged the coup in an effort to expand power and eliminate his critics .
`` It was a false flag operation , '' Ugurlu says .
It was a perfect plan initiated , controlled and executed by the regime .
But they made many mistakes and left clear evidence and witnesses behind them . ''
The admiral insists if the Turkish military `` wanted to make a real coup , it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts , however , doubt that Erdogan was behind the failed coup .
`` I would n't say it 's entirely implausible , says Rachel Ellehuus , deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a Washington think tank .
`` I 've never seen proof to that end . ''
Still , Ellehuus and others say that Erdogan has clearly benefited from the coup — which he termed `` a gift from God '' — allowing him to swiftly eliminate any criticism of his government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach out to any of his friends in Turkey .
`` We are not trying to communicate with them because we believe they are being tapped and they are being following and their families are still under extreme pressure , '' he says .
`` They are not allowed to leave the country . ''
Still , some military officers and others continue to flee .
Last year , NPR interviewed a Turkish naval officer who was slipped across the border into Greece and made his way to California , where his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ugurlu and the other officers in the Norfolk area are still awaiting on their asylum , which he admits was difficult to request .
`` It was very painful .
I love my homeland , '' he says .
`` I have served 30 years with loyalty to my lovely country , but I could n't turn back . ''
Ugurlu , along with his wife and two adult children , says he and his fellow Turkish officers have been embraced by the Norfolk community , including invitations to Thanksgiving dinners .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , '' he says .
`` We are exchanging cultural values . ''
The man who once commanded warships and worked in the upper reaches of NATO , says he 's now helping his wife manage a local dress shop .
`` She is my boss now , '' he says , adding that his wife also runs a charitable organization trying to raise awareness about what 's happening in Turkey .
The admiral still worries about whether the Turkish state will try to track him down .
He says Turkish agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries .
`` Maybe I 'm not as safe as before , '' he says .
But his family is making the best of it in the United States , he says .
His daughter is set to marry an American in September , and his son is studying at a local university .
And the other Turkish officers who remain are also putting down roots .
One is an airline pilot , another is a manager for Amazon , and still another is teaching at a nearby college .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are in one of the best countries in the world for us .
But we always think about our friends there .
Torture is still going on .
Their families are in a difficult condition and they are suffering . ''

'Maybe I'm Not As Safe As Before': Turkish Admiral Seeking Asylum In U.S. Speaks Out
Enlarge this image toggle caption OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images
Turkish Rear Admiral Mustafa Ugurlu, a top officer at a NATO training command in Norfolk, Va., was just wrapping up a meeting when an aide rushed up to him.
"There is something happening in Turkey," he said on that July day in 2016.
A major bridge was closed to traffic in Istanbul and Turkish Armed forces were staging a coup. Tanks were in the streets. Helicopters and war planes streaked across the sky.
Ugurlu remembers trying to call senior officers in Turkey. He couldn't get through.
The admiral walked back to his office. "A military coup?" he said to himself. "During primetime on a Friday evening, by closing the most heavily trafficked bridge in Istanbul? This was shockingly poor strategy." He brushed aside the story.
Two weeks later, Ugurlu would himself be charged with taking part in the coup, with the help of the U.S. and NATO. His picture appeared in the Turkish press. The admiral was dismissed from his job and ordered home.
Instead, he decided to seek asylum in the United States, with some two dozen fellow Turkish officers who worked at the NATO training command. They all spoke with NPR a few months after the failed coup, denied they were involved, insisted their names not be used and their voices disguised on the radio, fearing retribution.
Now, as the most senior officer, Ugurlu has now decided to speak openly. Why?
"Nothing has changed" in Turkey, he tells NPR, noting that the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become more and more repressive. "And I want something to be changed because Turkey, my country home, that is in a bad condition and I decided to speak my own voice."
'New democracy and national unity day'
The admiral and the other officers in the Norfolk area watched as thousands of their colleagues were arrested, including some of his close friends.
"Almost all of my classmates are in jail, for life in prison without parole," he says. "And they were tortured during the first days after the coup attempt. And they were just on holiday or somewhere just like me. They were not guilty, I believe."
The Turkish embassy said in a statement to NPR that there is still an arrest warrant for the admiral, and questioned why he won't return home.
"Why would a high ranking military general seek asylum and refuse to go back to Turkey, if he were not affiliated with the cult that perpetrated the coup attempt?"
The Embassy also alleged "many high-level fugitives" linked to the coup are in the U. S.
Ugurlu, 54, rose to two-star rank in the Turkish Navy, commanding warships, taking part in the campaign in the Balkans, and working at a NATO command in Italy.
American military officers privately say that a number of officers arrested with whom they worked closely were clearly not culpable in the coup, but were suspect because they either worked for NATO or spent time in the US.
The arrests continue in Turkey, four years after the failed coup. Some 80,000 military officers, judges, lawyers, teachers and journalists are facing trial. Some 130,000 have lost their jobs.
And with the fourth anniversary of the alleged coup, July 15 is now "New Democracy and National Unity Day."
For his part, President Erdogan marked the fourth anniversary by once again insisting that the coup was instigated by the followers of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, a onetime Erdogan ally who is now living in Pennsylvania. Gulen strongly denies any involvement.
They tried to "shackle this freedom-loving nation, thank God they could not succeed," Ergodan said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Admiral Mustafa Ugurlu Courtesy of Admiral Mustafa Ugurlu
Urgurlu and some of his fellow officers are convinced that it was Erdogan himself who staged the coup in an effort to expand power and eliminate his critics.
"It was a false flag operation," Ugurlu says. It was a perfect plan initiated, controlled and executed by the regime. But they made many mistakes and left clear evidence and witnesses behind them."
The admiral insists if the Turkish military "wanted to make a real coup, it will be a very successful one."
Turkey analysts, however, doubt that Erdogan was behind the failed coup.
"I wouldn't say it's entirely implausible, says Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. "I've never seen proof to that end."
Still, Ellehuus and others say that Erdogan has clearly benefited from the coup — which he termed "a gift from God" — allowing him to swiftly eliminate any criticism of his government.
Ugurlu says he tries not to reach out to any of his friends in Turkey.
"We are not trying to communicate with them because we believe they are being tapped and they are being following and their families are still under extreme pressure," he says. "They are not allowed to leave the country."
Still, some military officers and others continue to flee.
Last year, NPR interviewed a Turkish naval officer who was slipped across the border into Greece and made his way to California, where his wife and two young children followed later.
Exchanging cultural values
Ugurlu and the other officers in the Norfolk area are still awaiting on their asylum, which he admits was difficult to request.
"It was very painful. I love my homeland," he says. "I have served 30 years with loyalty to my lovely country, but I couldn't turn back."
Ugurlu, along with his wife and two adult children, says he and his fellow Turkish officers have been embraced by the Norfolk community, including invitations to Thanksgiving dinners.
"Each Turkish family has an American sister family," he says. "We are exchanging cultural values."
The man who once commanded warships and worked in the upper reaches of NATO, says he's now helping his wife manage a local dress shop. "She is my boss now," he says, adding that his wife also runs a charitable organization trying to raise awareness about what's happening in Turkey.
The admiral still worries about whether the Turkish state will try to track him down. He says Turkish agents have kidnapped Turkish officers who fled to other countries.
"Maybe I'm not as safe as before," he says.
But his family is making the best of it in the United States, he says. His daughter is set to marry an American in September, and his son is studying at a local university.
And the other Turkish officers who remain are also putting down roots. One is an airline pilot, another is a manager for Amazon, and still another is teaching at a nearby college.
"We are happy," Ugurlu says. "We are in one of the best countries in the world for us. But we always think about our friends there. Torture is still going on. Their families are in a difficult condition and they are suffering."


npr--2020-07-23--GOP Senators And White House Tentatively Agree On Part Of Coronavirus Aid Bill

GOP Senators And White House Tentatively Agree On Part Of Coronavirus Aid Bill Republican Senators and the White House have reached an agreement in principle on a major portion of an upcoming Coronavirus aid bill .
The agreement , which includes $ 105 billion for schools , is meant to be a starting point for bipartisan talks on a final bill .
Other committees are still working on other elements .
The full details are expected to be released on Thursday .
Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee announced the agreement on their portion of the legislation Wednesday following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
The senators said the legislation , which will be released in full on Thursday , meets their priorities of getting people `` back to school , back to childcare and back to working . ''
The school funding includes $ 30 billion for colleges and universities , $ 70 billion for K-12 education and $ 5 billion for governors to allocate as needed .
`` There will be some money distributed all districts , '' said Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts that get back to school in a more traditional sense . ''
Half of the money for K-12 schools would go to all schools on a per-capita basis , the other half would be distributed to schools that go back to a traditional school setting , rather than using distance learning .
The senators also described funding for testing for nursing homes , child care facilities and schools , though exact figures were not released .
Blunt described a scenario where the legislation could be broken down until several separate bills rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practice for previous relief legislation .
The senators did not provide details of how Republicans plan to handle unemployment insurance or direct payments to individuals , all elements that are being finalized by other committees .
Democrats passed their version of the next round of coronavirus relief more than two months ago .
But Republicans have struggled to unite over whether more aid was necessary as well as key benefits like unemployment insurance , direct payments and the total cost .

Rollout Of Republican Coronavirus Aid Bill Pushed To Next Week
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Updated at 5:30 p.m. ET
Republican senators and the White House have reached an agreement on major elements of an upcoming coronavirus aid bill but have yet to settle on how to address unemployment benefits that are set to expire at the end of this month.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced late Thursday afternoon that the administration is reviewing the "agreement in principle" and the legislation will be introduced next week.
The agreement on the GOP bill, which includes $105 billion for schools and $16 billion for testing, is meant to be a starting point for bipartisan talks on a final bill. The full package was expected Thursday morning, but haggling over unemployment provisions stalled the release. McConnell said key committee chairs would roll out details on Monday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows were on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning for further talks, as GOP senators were still split on the size and components of the legislation.
Mnuchin said they are focused on a new federal unemployment benefit that would replace roughly 70% of the wages a person was previously earning.
"I think we are very clear on we're not going to pay people more to stay home than to work," Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. "So we're looking at something that looks like a 70% wage replacement, and we're working on the mechanics of that."
Those mechanics have been a major hurdle in the unemployment talks. Lawmakers settled on the $600 in weekly benefits that are currently available because they could not coordinate with state systems quickly enough. Democrats and Republicans said at the time that they would have liked to tailor unemployment benefits more closely to what people made when they were working.
McConnell said there would be some "temporary federal supplement" to unemployment aid, but he said the bill will also fix "the obvious craziness of paying people more to remain out of the workforce." He pledged more help would be in the bill for the 17 million unemployed, but said they wanted to "make sure it is suited to reopening."
Top congressional Democrats criticized the GOP for failing to support jobless Americans and dismissed the idea of working on some kind of temporary extension for unemployment aid while a broader bill was being negotiated.
"We cannot piecemeal this," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters at her weekly press conference, adding, "I go to the table with a commitment for the $600."
The Senate GOP agreement does not include the payroll tax cut President Trump had been pushing.
Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee announced a separate portion of the agreement Wednesday night. The senators said the legislation meets their priorities of getting people "back to school, back to child care and back to working."
The school funding includes $30 billion for colleges and universities, $70 billion for K-12 education and $5 billion for governors to allocate as needed.
"There will be some money distributed to all districts," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. "And other money that will be distributed to districts that get back to school in a more traditional sense."
Half of the money for K-12 schools would go to all schools on a per-capita basis; the other half would be distributed to schools that go back to a traditional school setting rather than using distance learning.
The senators also described funding for testing for nursing homes, child care facilities and schools.
McConnell indicated committees would introduce key provisions as standalone bills — a shift from previous relief measures that were unveiled as comprehensive packages. He also repeated his insistence that any new bill had to include liability protections for schools, businesses and health care workers so they are not "swamped by a tidal wave of malpractice suits."
The majority leader indicated that there would be another round of direct payments to Americans and that there would be a "sequel" to the popular Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan program, making additional loans available to those who already received them to ensure they remained viable.
Democrats passed their version of the next round of coronavirus relief more than two months ago. But Republicans have struggled to unite over whether more aid was necessary as well as key benefits such as unemployment insurance, direct payments and the total cost.


npr--2020-07-23--Democrats Go On Offense On Russian Election Interference As November Approaches

Democrats Go On Offense On Russian Election Interference As November Approaches Four years after Russian election interference rattled and embarrassed national Democrats , the party has gone on offense over what it fears are more schemes targeting this year 's presidential race .
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate this week demanded an all-lawmaker briefing from the FBI about what they suspect are active efforts aimed at Congress .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the party 's likely presidential nominee , followed up on Wednesday with a more specific gambit .
Biden 's campaign said that Sen. Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Homeland Security Committee , could be at the receiving end of a pipeline of disinformation that originates in Russia .
Johnson and his committee have said they 're continuing to investigate the work Biden 's son Hunter did in Ukraine while Biden was the point man on the country 's new government for the Obama administration .
The storyline that a Ukrainian company was paying Hunter Biden in hopes that he could open doors in Washington has chastened the elder Biden , even back in 2014 , but investigators in Ukraine have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Homeland Security Committee are still gathering material and interviewing witnesses with the aim of hearings or other activity targeting the Bidens — and Democrats worry that some of what they reel in could be fabricated or manipulated with the goal of hurting Biden and interfering in the 2020 election .
Biden spokesman Andrew Bates cited what he called evasive answers or silence from Johnson and his staff about the Ukraine work .
`` Senator Johnson is not only diverting the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee away from oversight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak ... not only engaged in total hypocrisy by virtue of his years-long support for the anti-corruption victory Vice President Biden delivered in Ukraine , and not only advancing the interests of Russia in a manner that is openly distressing to his Republican colleagues — but he has also revealed his complicity in a foreign attack on the very sovereignty of our elections . ''
Austin Altenburg , a spokesman for Johnson and the Homeland Security Committee , rejected Biden 's allegations .
`` The Democrat and Ukrainian claims are false , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Altenburg declined to comment on the committee 's ongoing investigation or its interviews with potential witnesses , but he noted that Johnson has joined with the Democratic leaders who asked for more information from the FBI this week about the prospect of a disinformation scheme .
`` Committee staff has already requested and received a staff briefing on this issue , and Chairman Johnson has requested an additional briefing at the member level .
That briefing has not occurred in part because the agencies requested additional information from minority staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests since mid-May . ''
New rules in the ballgame This week 's back-and-forth underscored just how deeply and how frequently the prospect of foreign interference — never absent in U.S. politics but also seldom top of mind for those involved before this era — has come to dominate the daily work of politics .
Biden 's charge against Johnson followed an earlier allegation against a cable news network friendly to President Trump , which Biden 's camp suspected also might be in receipt of suspicious material connected to the Ukraine storyline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr have suggested , without any public evidence , that a foreign nation might exploit increased voting by mail this year to manipulate the results of the election .
Specialists say that would be practically impossible , but the threat and the discussion now are part of the political tradespace .
As he did in 2016 , Trump often warns about the potential for what he calls an unfair election .
Foreign interference specialists use many tools and techniques , U.S. investigators have found , including stealing confidential material and releasing it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections infrastructure with cyberattacks ; and amplifying discord and spreading disinformation online .
In the past , they 've also fabricated evidence to sow doubt about the inner workings of political life , including in chapters about which little remains confirmed .
In one example in 2016 , U.S. intelligence investigators apparently suspected that Russian specialists had created a fake evidentiary trail tying then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch to false assurances made to Hillary Clinton 's campaign about the FBI email investigation .
The full story remains unknown ; in his memoir , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anecdote but said it remained too secret for him to reveal in detail .
This opacity creates an opportunity — and dilemma — for politicians wielding election interference as an issue .
The fundamental intelligence about what American spies are hearing and learning seldom becomes public .
And the reports that do make their way to members of Congress and administration officials evidently are worded so carefully that everyone involved feels entitled to draw separate conclusions .
What Democrats heard in a briefing earlier this year was that the intelligence community has assessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in the 2020 race , as it supported him over Clinton .
But that conclusion angered Republicans , who did n't hear such certainty ; national security adviser Robert O'Brien said he had n't seen any such evidence .
The broad facts about interference and potential vulnerabilities mostly are n't disputed , and new evidence emerges regularly about what has happened and what may be happening now , including a British study about Russian cyberattacks and subversion .
Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, who chaired a hearing on Wednesday focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain this year , hailed what he called the progress local leaders have made on security this year even as they also figure out how to operate amid social distancing and infection .
`` Election officials have done all this on top of continuing efforts to ensure that this country 's elections are secure from malicious actors who seek to attack voting infrastructure and spread disinformation , '' Blunt said .
`` All of these actions have been taken to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot safely and securely in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that everyone here can agree on : voters in this country must be able to cast a ballot safely and surely without putting their health at risk . ''
Although Blunt and some Republicans agree that more funding is in order for elections this year , Democrats argue that still more is needed — not only from Congress but at the presidential level .
Biden vowed this week that if he 's elected , he 'll not only focus more on election security but punish any foreign governments linked with interference .
Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Biden , said , `` The vice president put Putin and others who might seek to interfere on notice that if he 's elected president , they 're going to be facing something totally different than what they 're dealing with now .
Instead of ignoring or denying it , he will impose significant and lasting costs and consequences for meddling in our democracy . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin and other antagonists not only want to sow chaos but also corrode public confidence in democratic systems — regardless of which party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines on the latest installment in the saga , said David Shimer , a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center .
`` History clarifies that the threat of foreign electoral interference is a threat to our nation , not any one political party , '' said Shimer , author of Rigged , a recent history of modern election interference .
`` The Soviet Union worked on several occasions to tarnish the campaigns of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan , Republicans , long before Russia worked to help a Republican .
Putin 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and delegitimize our process of succession , and that should alarm all Americans . ''

Democrats Go On Offense On Russian Election Interference As November Approaches
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Updated at 9:40 a.m. ET
Four years after Russian election interference rattled and embarrassed national Democrats, the party has gone on offense over what it fears are more schemes targeting this year's presidential race.
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate this week demanded an all-lawmaker briefing from the FBI about what they suspect are active efforts aimed at Congress. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the party's likely presidential nominee, followed up on Wednesday with a more specific gambit.
Biden's campaign said that Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, could be at the receiving end of a pipeline of disinformation that originates in Russia.
Johnson and his committee have said they're continuing to investigate the work Biden's son Hunter did in Ukraine while Biden was the point man on the country's new government for the Obama administration.
The storyline that a Ukrainian company was paying Hunter Biden in hopes that he could open doors in Washington has chastened the elder Biden, even back in 2014, but investigators in Ukraine have concluded no laws were broken.
Johnson and the Homeland Security Committee are still gathering material and interviewing witnesses with the aim of hearings or other activity targeting the Bidens — and Democrats worry that some of what they reel in could be fabricated or manipulated with the goal of hurting Biden and interfering in the 2020 election.
Biden spokesman Andrew Bates cited what he called evasive answers or silence from Johnson and his staff about the Ukraine work.
"Senator Johnson is not only diverting the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee away from oversight of Donald Trump's failed response to the coronavirus outbreak ... not only engaged in total hypocrisy by virtue of his years-long support for the anti-corruption victory Vice President Biden delivered in Ukraine, and not only advancing the interests of Russia in a manner that is openly distressing to his Republican colleagues — but he has also revealed his complicity in a foreign attack on the very sovereignty of our elections."
Austin Altenburg, a spokesman for Johnson and the Homeland Security Committee, rejected Biden's allegations.
"The Democrat and Ukrainian claims are false, and the Democrats know this," he said.
Altenburg declined to comment on the committee's ongoing investigation or its interviews with potential witnesses, but he noted that Johnson has joined with the Democratic leaders who asked for more information from the FBI this week about the prospect of a disinformation scheme.
"Committee staff has already requested and received a staff briefing on this issue, and Chairman Johnson has requested an additional briefing at the member level," he said. "That briefing has not occurred in part because the agencies requested additional information from minority staff, which has not followed on these requests since mid-May."
New rules in the ballgame
This week's back-and-forth underscored just how deeply and how frequently the prospect of foreign interference — never absent in U.S. politics but also seldom top of mind for those involved before this era — has come to dominate the daily work of politics.
Biden's charge against Johnson followed an earlier allegation against One America News, a cable news network friendly to President Trump, which Biden's camp suspected also might be in receipt of suspicious material connected to the Ukraine storyline.
Meanwhile, Trump and Attorney General William Barr have suggested, without any public evidence, that a foreign nation might exploit increased voting by mail this year to manipulate the results of the election. Specialists say that would be practically impossible, but the threat and the discussion now are part of the political tradespace. As he did in 2016, Trump often warns about the potential for what he calls an unfair election.
Foreign interference specialists use many tools and techniques, U.S. investigators have found, including stealing confidential material and releasing it to embarrass their targets; attempting to compromise elections infrastructure with cyberattacks; and amplifying discord and spreading disinformation online.
In the past, they've also fabricated evidence to sow doubt about the inner workings of political life, including in chapters about which little remains confirmed. In one example in 2016, U.S. intelligence investigators apparently suspected that Russian specialists had created a fake evidentiary trail tying then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch to false assurances made to Hillary Clinton's campaign about the FBI email investigation.
The full story remains unknown; in his memoir, former FBI Director James Comey alluded to the anecdote but said it remained too secret for him to reveal in detail.
This opacity creates an opportunity — and dilemma — for politicians wielding election interference as an issue. The fundamental intelligence about what American spies are hearing and learning seldom becomes public. And the reports that do make their way to members of Congress and administration officials evidently are worded so carefully that everyone involved feels entitled to draw separate conclusions.
What Democrats heard in a briefing earlier this year was that the intelligence community has assessed that Russia wants to support Trump over Biden in the 2020 race, as it supported him over Clinton. But that conclusion angered Republicans, who didn't hear such certainty; national security adviser Robert O'Brien said he hadn't seen any such evidence.
The broad facts about interference and potential vulnerabilities mostly aren't disputed, and new evidence emerges regularly about what has happened and what may be happening now, including a British study about Russian cyberattacks and subversion.
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who chaired a hearing on Wednesday focused on the fraught, pandemic-stricken election days that remain this year, hailed what he called the progress local leaders have made on security this year even as they also figure out how to operate amid social distancing and infection.
"Election officials have done all this on top of continuing efforts to ensure that this country's elections are secure from malicious actors who seek to attack voting infrastructure and spread disinformation," Blunt said. "All of these actions have been taken to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot safely and securely in this year's election. That's something that everyone here can agree on: voters in this country must be able to cast a ballot safely and surely without putting their health at risk."
Although Blunt and some Republicans agree that more funding is in order for elections this year, Democrats argue that still more is needed — not only from Congress but at the presidential level.
Biden vowed this week that if he's elected, he'll not only focus more on election security but punish any foreign governments linked with interference.
Tony Blinken, a top foreign policy adviser to Biden, alluded specifically to Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
"The vice president put Putin and others who might seek to interfere on notice that if he's elected president, they're going to be facing something totally different than what they're dealing with now," he said. "Instead of ignoring or denying it, he will impose significant and lasting costs and consequences for meddling in our democracy."
Putin and other antagonists not only want to sow chaos but also corrode public confidence in democratic systems — regardless of which party thinks it can win the day's headlines on the latest installment in the saga, said David Shimer, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
"History clarifies that the threat of foreign electoral interference is a threat to our nation, not any one political party," said Shimer, author of Rigged, a recent history of modern election interference. "The Soviet Union worked on several occasions to tarnish the campaigns of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, Republicans, long before Russia worked to help a Republican. Putin's objective here is to direct, disrupt, and delegitimize our process of succession, and that should alarm all Americans."
NPR political correspondent Scott Detrow contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-23--Qantas Retires Its Last 747 With A Dash Of Sky Art

Qantas Retires Its Last 747 With A Dash Of Sky Art Australia 's Qantas Airways has retired its last Boeing 747 with a flourish .
With six pilots and no passengers aboard for the final flight from Sydney , QF7474 's flight path sketched out a giant Qantas kangaroo logo off the east coast of Australia .
It then headed across the Pacific to the Mojave Air and Space Port in the California desert , a commercial aviation boneyard , where it will be stripped for parts .
The airline had expected to retire the venerable airliner model at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , which has hit hard for airlines , forced them to move up the timetable .
Last week , the Australian carrier announced that it was shutting down all of its international routes until March 2021 due to the steep drop in traffic due to COVID-19 .
The jetliner has already been retired by U.S. carriers – by the end of 2017 , United Airlines and Delta Airlines had both stopped flying their passenger versions .
British Airways announced the retirement of its fleet of 31 747s last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hump '' originally to accommodate a first-class lounge , began flying with airlines in 1969 and quickly became an icon — gaining favor with carriers for its ability to carry upwards of 366 passengers in relative luxury on long-haul flights .
More than 1,500 747s have been built since then in multiple configurations , including a bevy of passenger variations and cargo freighters .
The plane was even used to transport NASA 's Space Shuttle .
It was n't until 2007 , when the first giant Airbus A380 went into service , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally eclipsed .
Qantas put its first 747 in service in 1971 .
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce told a gathering of people in a hanger for the sendoff that the jetliner `` overcame the tyranny of distance that was and continued to be an issue for Australia . ''
Owen Zupp , one of the six pilots aboard QF7474 , told Reuters it would be `` a memory that we can look back on with great pride . ''
`` It is significant not just for Qantas ' history but aviation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flight , Greg Fitzgerald , said that the shape of the 747 is something `` everybody in the world knows . ''
Before takeoff on Wednesday , he told ABC Radio : `` It 's like Aeroplane Jelly and Vegemite - it 's always been there .
We do n't know life without the 747 in the skies . ''
The 747 , which is still being produced , mainly as a freighter , was eventually outclassed for fuel economy by the newest generation of jetliners , such as the Airbus A350 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Qantas Retires Its Last 747 With A Dash Of Sky Art
Enlarge this image toggle caption James D. Morgan/Getty Images James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Australia's Qantas Airways has retired its last Boeing 747 with a flourish.
With six pilots and no passengers aboard for the final flight from Sydney, QF7474's flight path sketched out a giant Qantas kangaroo logo off the east coast of Australia. It then headed across the Pacific to the Mojave Air and Space Port in the California desert, a commercial aviation boneyard, where it will be stripped for parts.
Qantas said goodbye to its 747 today in style beginning with a low altitude tour of Sydney, a quick visit to retired fleet mate VH-OJA, and then a massive Qantas ‘Roo’ before heading across the Pacific. https://t.co/sDyfwbqKt3 pic.twitter.com/tDZIXChGh2 — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 23, 2020
The airline had expected to retire the venerable airliner model at the end of the year, but the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit hard for airlines, forced them to move up the timetable.
Last week, the Australian carrier announced that it was shutting down all of its international routes until March 2021 due to the steep drop in traffic resulting from COVID-19.
The jetliner has already been retired by U.S. carriers – by the end of 2017, United Airlines and Delta Airlines had both stopped flying their passenger versions. British Airways announced the retirement of its fleet of 31 747s last week.
The four-engine 747, with its distinctive "hump" originally to accommodate a first-class lounge, began flying with airlines in 1969 and quickly became an icon — gaining favor for its ability to carry upwards of 366 passengers in relative luxury on long-haul flights.
More than 1,500 747s have been built since then in multiple configurations, including a bevy of passenger variations and cargo freighters. The plane was even used to transport NASA's Space Shuttle.
It wasn't until 2007, when the first giant Airbus A380 went into service, that the 747 "Jumbo Jet" was finally eclipsed.
Qantas put its first 747 in service in 1971.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Fairfax Media Archives/Fairfax Media via Getty Images Fairfax Media Archives/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce told a gathering of people in a hanger for the sendoff that the jetliner "overcame the tyranny of distance that was and continues to be an issue for Australia."
Owen Zupp, one of the six pilots aboard QF7474, told Reuters it would be "a memory that we can look back on with great pride."
"It is significant not just for Qantas' history, but aviation," he said.
Another pilot on the flight, Greg Fitzgerald, said that the shape of the 747 is something "everybody in the world knows." Before takeoff on Wednesday, he told ABC Radio: "It's like Aeroplane Jelly and Vegemite - it's always been there. We don't know life without the 747 in the skies."
The 747, which is still being produced, mainly as a freighter, was eventually outclassed for fuel economy by the newest generation of jetliners, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing's own more recent models.


npr--2020-07-23--Former Minnesota Police Officer Derek Chauvin Charged With Tax Evasion

Derek Chauvin , the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the murder of George Floyd , has also been charged along with his wife with nine counts of felony tax evasion .
The Washington County prosecutor 's office announced Wednesday that Chauvin and his wife , Kellie May Chauvin , underreported their joint income from 2014 through 2019 by $ 464,433 , including more than $ 95,000 that Derek Chauvin earned from off-duty security work .
`` Revenue investigators initiated a review into the Chauvins in June 2020 for failure to timely file Minnesota individual income tax returns from 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2014 to 2019 , '' the office said in a statement .
`` The complaints detail that the Chauvins , both employed and domiciled in Minnesota , failed to file income tax returns and pay state income taxes , underreported and underpaid taxes on income generated from various employments each year , and failed to pay proper sales tax on a vehicle purchased in Minnesota , '' it said .
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $ 10,000 fine , according to Minnesota Lawyer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal website as saying that Floyd 's death had no bearing on the decision to prosecute the tax evasion case .
`` Everybody 's got to be held to account , '' Orput said .
`` My position is that nobody is above the law . ''
The prosecutor 's office said the charges only relate to state income taxes and not to federal taxes or taxes in Florida , where the couple owns a second home .
Kellie Chauvin filed for divorce less than a week after Floyd 's death on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her divorce attorney did not return a call seeking comment and that Eric Nelson , Derek Chauvin 's attorney on the murder charges , had no comment Wednesday on the tax charges .

Former Minnesota Police Officer Derek Chauvin Charged With Tax Evasion
Enlarge this image toggle caption Hennepin County Sheriff via AP Hennepin County Sheriff via AP
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the murder of George Floyd, has also been charged along with his wife with nine counts of felony tax evasion.
The Washington County prosecutor's office announced Wednesday that Chauvin and his wife, Kellie May Chauvin, face charges of underreporting their joint income from 2014 through 2019 by $464,433, including more than $95,000 that Derek Chauvin earned from off-duty security work.
"Revenue investigators initiated a review into the Chauvins in June 2020 for failure to timely file Minnesota individual income tax returns from 2016 to 2019 and fraudulently filing tax returns from 2014 to 2019," the office said in a statement.
"The complaints detail that the Chauvins, both employed and domiciled in Minnesota, failed to file income tax returns and pay state income taxes, underreported and underpaid taxes on income generated from various employments each year, and failed to pay proper sales tax on a vehicle purchased in Minnesota," it said.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to Minnesota Lawyer.
County Attorney Pete Orput was quoted by the legal website as saying that Floyd's death had no bearing on the decision to prosecute the tax evasion case.
"Everybody's got to be held to account," Orput said. "My position is that nobody is above the law."
The prosecutor's office said the charges relate only to state income taxes and not to federal taxes or taxes in Florida, where the couple owns a second home.
Kellie Chauvin filed for divorce less than a week after Floyd's death on May 25.
The Associated Press says her divorce attorney did not return a call seeking comment and that Eric Nelson, Derek Chauvin's attorney on the murder charges, had no comment Wednesday on the tax charges.


npr--2020-07-22--Masking Up In The Midwest With New Statewide Mandates

Masking Up In The Midwest With New Statewide Mandates Three Midwestern governors announced statewide face covering mandates on Wednesday , adding Minnesota , Ohio and Indiana to the growing list of states requiring people to mask up in public .
Ohio 's order takes effect at 6 p.m. Thursday , Minnesota 's starts on Saturday , and Indiana 's on Monday .
The governors present masks as a critical tool in protecting public health and allowing activities like school and sports to proceed in the fall .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine also cited guidance from Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks could get the virus ' spread under control within several weeks .
Face coverings have been required in certain Ohio counties designated high-risk since earlier this month .
By July 16 , mask mandates applied to 19 counties , encompassing nearly 60 % of the state 's population .
The statewide order requires people over the age of 10 to wear masks in public , both indoors and outdoors where social distancing is not possible .
There are exceptions for people with medical conditions , as well as those who are `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officiating religious services .
Masks are not required when people are actively eating , drinking , playing sports or exercising .
Ohio recorded 1,527 new coronavirus cases , 16 new deaths , 128 new hospitalizations and 19 new intensive care unit admissions on Tuesday .
`` Wearing masks will make a difference , '' DeWine wrote in a tweet .
`` It will determine what our fall looks like .
We want kids to go back to school , we want to see sports — to do that it 's very important that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Minnesota , Gov .
Tim Walz 's executive order will require people to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces and businesses , unless they are alone .
Workers will also be required to wear masks when working outdoors in situations where social distancing can not be maintained .
There are some exceptions to the order , such as for children under the age of two and people with certain underlying conditions .
Violators will face consequences including misdemeanor citations and fines for individuals and criminal , civil and regulatory sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 507 new cases and four deaths on Wednesday , bringing the state 's totals to nearly 47,961 cumulative cases and 1,552 deaths .
Walz said at a briefing that face coverings are the `` cheapest and most effective '' way to protect both lives and businesses .
`` In the long run , this is the quickest way to ending the COVID pandemic , '' he said .
`` It is the surest way to getting us to the therapeutics and the vaccines , with the least amount of impact on Minnesotans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key to making sure that businesses are open and stay open . ''
He also encouraged Minnesotans to view the mask mandate and similar steps as `` just the way we do business , '' comparing it to other newer norms like prohibiting smoking indoors , wearing seat belts in cars and facing penalties for distracted driving .
Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb said the order will require Hoosiers over the age of eight to wear masks in most public settings .
Face coverings will also be required in schools for students in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as faculty , staff , volunteers and visitors .
`` The state will approach enforcement of the face covering requirement with an emphasis on education , '' he added .
Indiana reported 763 new cases and 14 deaths on Wednesday .
Masks are gradually becoming the standard in many parts of the country , with many states , localities and businesses requiring people to wear them .
At a briefing on Tuesday , President Trump urged people to mask up , something he himself had previously been reluctant to do .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have statewide mask orders in place .
And some of Ohio 's neighbors —Pennsylvania , Kentucky and West Virginia — have also enacted similar mandates .
In the East , Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser also announced expanded mask-wearing requirements on Tuesday .
Effective immediately , people must wear masks when they leave their homes `` if they are likely to come into contact with another person for more than a fleeting moment . ''
The latest batch of orders comes as coronavirus cases continue their nationwide climb .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in the week leading up to July 21 , 10 states reported more than 10,000 new cases , with three states — California , Texas and Florida — each reporting more than 60,000 .

Masking Up In The Midwest With New Statewide Mandates
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Cenci/Bloomberg via Getty Images Andrew Cenci/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated at 11:51 p.m. ET
Three Midwestern governors announced statewide face covering mandates on Wednesday, adding Minnesota, Ohio and Indiana to the growing list of states requiring people to mask up in public.
Ohio's order takes effect at 6 p.m. Thursday, Minnesota's starts on Saturday, and Indiana's on Monday.
The governors present masks as a critical tool in protecting public health and allowing activities like school and sports to proceed in the fall. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also cited guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield that wearing masks could get the virus' spread under control within several weeks.
Face coverings have been required in certain Ohio counties designated high-risk since earlier this month. By July 16, mask mandates applied to 19 counties, encompassing nearly 60% of the state's population.
The statewide order requires people over the age of 10 to wear masks in public, both indoors and outdoors where social distancing is not possible.
There are exceptions for people with medical conditions, as well as those who are "actively involved in public safety" and officiating religious services. Masks are not required when people are actively eating, drinking, playing sports or exercising.
Ohio recorded 1,527 new coronavirus cases, 16 new deaths, 128 new hospitalizations and 19 new intensive care unit admissions on Tuesday.
"Wearing masks will make a difference," DeWine wrote in a tweet. "It will determine what our fall looks like. We want kids to go back to school, we want to see sports — to do that it's very important that all Ohioans wear a mask."
In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz's executive order will require people to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces and businesses, unless they are alone. Workers will also be required to wear masks when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
There are some exceptions to the order, such as for children under the age of two and people with certain underlying conditions.
Violators will face consequences including misdemeanor citations and fines for individuals and criminal, civil and regulatory sanctions for businesses.
The Minnesota health department reported 507 new cases and four deaths on Wednesday, bringing the state's totals to nearly 47,961 cumulative cases and 1,552 deaths.
Walz said at a briefing that face coverings are the "cheapest and most effective" way to protect both lives and businesses.
"In the long run, this is the quickest way to ending the COVID pandemic," he said. "It is the surest way to getting us to the therapeutics and the vaccines, with the least amount of impact on Minnesotans, and it is the absolute economic key to making sure that businesses are open and stay open."
He also encouraged Minnesotans to view the mask mandate and similar steps as "just the way we do business," comparing it to other newer norms like prohibiting smoking indoors, wearing seat belts in cars and facing penalties for distracted driving.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said the order will require Hoosiers over the age of eight to wear masks in most public settings. Face coverings will also be required in schools for students in third grade and above, as well as faculty, staff, volunteers and visitors.
"The state will approach enforcement of the face covering requirement with an emphasis on education," he added.
Indiana reported 763 new cases and 14 deaths on Wednesday.
Masks are gradually becoming the standard in many parts of the country, with many states, localities and businesses requiring people to wear them. At a briefing on Tuesday, President Trump urged people to mask up, something he himself had previously been reluctant to do.
In the Midwest, Illinois, Michigan and Kansas already have statewide mask orders in place. And some of Ohio's neighbors —Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia — have also enacted similar mandates.
In the East, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser also announced expanded mask-wearing requirements on Tuesday. Effective immediately, people must wear masks when they leave their homes "if they are likely to come into contact with another person for more than a fleeting moment."
The latest batch of orders comes as coronavirus cases continue their nationwide climb.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that in the week leading up to July 21, 10 states reported more than 10,000 new cases, with three states — California, Texas and Florida — each reporting more than 60,000.


npr--2020-07-22--Trump Asked U.S. Ambassador To Seek British Open For A Trump Resort, Ex-Diplomat Says

Trump Asked U.S .
Ambassador To Seek British Open For A Trump Resort , Ex-Diplomat Says U.S .
Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood `` Woody '' Johnson IV told embassy staff in 2018 that his friend , President Trump , asked him to help get the British Open golf tournament held at one of the Trump family 's golf resorts in Scotland .
U.S. Embassy staff have separately complained that Johnson made racist and sexist comments on the job .
The State Department 's inspector general has been looking at these claims as part of a routine review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the matter .
The inquiry was first reported by the New York Times and CNN .
Lewis Lukens , the embassy 's former second-in-command , confirmed in a text to NPR that Johnson told him about the president 's request .
`` I advised him that doing so would violate federal ethics rules and be generally inappropriate , '' Lukens wrote .
But Johnson apparently went ahead and raised the matter with David Mundell , then secretary of state for Scotland , according to a person familiar with the conversation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mundell met with Johnson in early 2018 , `` but Johnson made no request regarding the British Open or any other sporting event . ''
Johnson did not respond directly to the claim .
In a statement , the U.S. Embassy said Johnson is `` fully focused on the important foreign policy priorities that represent our Special Relationship with the United Kingdom . ''
In a separate statement , the State Department said it stood by Johnson , `` who has led Mission U.K. honorably and professionally . ''
Embassy staffers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made people uncomfortable with some of his comments .
For instance , ahead of a Black History Month event , Johnson reportedly seemed `` agitated '' and wanted to know if he would be speaking to `` a whole bunch of Black people , '' according to CNN .
Johnson also hosted official get-togethers in London at a men's-only club called White 's .
Johnson did not directly address these claims either , and issued a statement saying it is the `` honor of a lifetime '' to represent the U.S. in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work that each and every member of the team does to strengthen and deepen our vital alliance with the United Kingdom . ''
Johnson , 73 , is heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune and is the owner of the New York Jets football team .
It is not clear when the inspector general 's report will be released .

Trump Asked U.S. Ambassador To Seek British Open For A Trump Resort, Ex-Diplomat Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV told embassy staff in 2018 that his friend, President Trump, asked him to help get the British Open golf tournament held at one of the Trump family's golf resorts in Scotland.
U.S. Embassy staff have separately complained that Johnson made racist and sexist comments on the job.
The State Department's inspector general has been looking at these claims as part of a routine review of the embassy, according to people familiar with the matter. The inquiry was first reported by the New York Times and CNN.
Lewis Lukens, the embassy's former second-in-command, confirmed in a text to NPR that Johnson told him about the president's request.
"I advised him that doing so would violate federal ethics rules and be generally inappropriate," Lukens wrote.
But Johnson apparently went ahead and raised the matter with David Mundell, then secretary of state for Scotland, according to a person familiar with the conversation.
In a statement, the British government said Mundell met with Johnson in early 2018, "but Johnson made no request regarding the British Open or any other sporting event."
Johnson did not respond directly to the claim. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said Johnson is "fully focused on the important foreign policy priorities that represent our Special Relationship with the United Kingdom."
In a separate statement, the State Department said it stood by Johnson, "who has led Mission U.K. honorably and professionally."
Embassy staffers have told the inspector general that Johnson has made people uncomfortable with some of his comments. For instance, ahead of a Black History Month event, Johnson reportedly seemed "agitated" and wanted to know if he would be speaking to "a whole bunch of Black people," according to CNN.
Johnson also hosted official get-togethers in London at a men's-only club called White's.
Johnson did not directly address these claims either, and issued a statement saying it is the "honor of a lifetime" to represent the U.S. in the U.K. He praised the "extraordinary work that each and every member of the team does to strengthen and deepen our vital alliance with the United Kingdom."
Johnson, 73, is heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune and is the owner of the New York Jets football team.
It is not clear when the inspector general's report will be released.


npr--2020-07-23--U.S. Space Force Accuses Russia Of In-Orbit Testing Of Anti-Satellite Weapon

U.S. Space Force Accuses Russia Of In-Orbit Testing Of Anti-Satellite Weapon The recently created U.S. Space Force accused Russia on Thursday of testing an anti-satellite weapon from one of its satellites in orbit .
`` On July 15 , Russia injected a new object into orbit from Cosmos 2543 , '' the eight-month-old agency says in a statement .
`` Russia released this object in proximity to another Russian satellite , which is similar to on-orbit activity conducted by Russia in 2017 , and inconsistent with the system 's stated mission as an inspector satellite . ''
In a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theater of war for terrestrial adversaries , it marked the first time the U.S. military has publicly charged Moscow with carrying out a space-based weapons test .
According to Gen. John `` Jay '' Raymond , who in addition to being the Space Force 's chief of space operations also commands the U.S. Space Command , the Russian satellite system used in the test is the same one that prompted U.S. protests earlier this year after it allegedly sidled up close to a U.S. spy satellite .
`` This is further evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test space-based systems , '' Raymond charges in the official statement , `` and consistent with the Kremlin 's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk . ''
According to Time magazine , the Russian satellite that fired the projectile had itself hatched from another satellite that was launched by Moscow in November .
The newsweekly says both satellites in January moved into close range with a powerful U.S. spy satellite named KH-11 , a move that was formally protested by the U.S. State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon that the U.S. says aims to destroy satellites drew additional condemnation .
`` This event highlights Russia 's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control , with which Moscow aims to restrict the capabilities of the United States , '' says Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Ford in the Space Command statement , `` while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace program — both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry . ''
The space weaponry test allegedly carried out last week by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newest service branch as underscoring the importance of its recent creation , as well as `` another example that the threats to U.S. and Allied space systems are real , serious and increasing . ''
The head of the United Kingdom 's Space Directorate also expressed concern over what he described as Russia testing one of its satellites `` by launching a projectile with the characteristics of a weapon . ''
`` Actions of this kind threaten the peaceful use of space and risk causing debris that could pose a threat to satellites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world depends , '' said Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth .
`` We call on Russia to avoid any further such testing . ''
Moscow 's Ministry of Defense , for its part , downplayed the significance of what took place on July 15 .
According to the Associated Press , the ministry said the event involved `` a small space vehicle '' that `` inspected one of the national satellites from a close distance using special equipment . ''

U.S. Space Force Accuses Russia Of In-Orbit Testing Of Anti-Satellite Weapon
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
The recently created U.S. Space Force accused Russia on Thursday of testing an anti-satellite weapon from one of its satellites in orbit.
"On July 15, Russia injected a new object into orbit from Cosmos 2543," the eight-month-old agency says in a statement. "Russia released this object in proximity to another Russian satellite, which is similar to on-orbit activity conducted by Russia in 2017, and inconsistent with the system's stated mission as an inspector satellite."
In a sign outer space could be turning into a theater of war for terrestrial adversaries, it marked the first time the U.S. military has publicly charged Moscow with carrying out a space-based weapons test.
According to Gen. John "Jay" Raymond, who in addition to being the Space Force's chief of space operations also commands the U.S. Space Command, the Russian satellite system used in the test is the same one that prompted U.S. protests earlier this year after it allegedly sidled up close to a U.S. spy satellite.
"This is further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems," Raymond charges in the official statement, "and consistent with the Kremlin's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk."
According to Time magazine, the Russian satellite that fired the projectile had itself hatched from another satellite that was launched by Moscow in November. The newsweekly says both satellites in January moved into close range with a powerful U.S. spy satellite named KH-11, a move that was formally protested by the U.S. State Department.
Russia's alleged testing of a weapon that the U.S. says aims to destroy satellites drew additional condemnation.
"This event highlights Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control, with which Moscow aims to restrict the capabilities of the United States," says Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Ford in the Space Command statement, "while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace program — both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry."
The space weaponry test allegedly carried out last week by Russia is cited by the Pentagon's newest service branch as underscoring the importance of its recent creation, as well as "another example that the threats to U.S. and Allied space systems are real, serious and increasing."
The head of the United Kingdom's Space Directorate also expressed concern over what he described as Russia testing one of its satellites "by launching a projectile with the characteristics of a weapon."
"Actions of this kind threaten the peaceful use of space and risk causing debris that could pose a threat to satellites and the space systems on which the world depends," said Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth. "We call on Russia to avoid any further such testing."
Moscow's Ministry of Defense, for its part, downplayed the significance of what took place on July 15. According to the Associated Press, the ministry said the event involved "a small space vehicle" that "inspected one of the national satellites from a close distance using special equipment."


npr--2020-07-23--Trump Announces New Guidelines For Reopening Schools

Public schools should delay reopening in coronavirus hotspots , but should open fully if they want to receive tens of billions of dollars in new federal aid , President Trump said in a White House briefing .
At the news conference on Thursday , Trump talked in more detail than he has in the past about school reopening .
He also announced new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reopening schools .
He had previously called the existing guidance `` very tough & expensive , '' while Vice President Mike Pence said `` we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reason why schools do n't open . ''
The new guidance emphasizes the `` critical '' importance of opening schools in-person .
For example , it removes a statement from the previous document that `` virtual-only classes , activities , and events , '' are `` lowest risk . ''
It also provides an update on emerging evidence that children are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus : `` As of July 21 , 2020 , 6.6 % of reported COVID-19 cases and less than 0.1 % of COVID-19-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 18 years of age in the United States , '' the new guidance says .
Standing in front of a United States map covered in dark red splotches to symbolize the many regions of the country with virus spikes , Trump acknowledged the scientific consensus that in those hotspots , public schools might have to delay opening in person for `` weeks . ''
`` Teachers are essential workers , '' Trump said .
`` But every district should be actively making preparations to reopen . ''
As of July 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 15 largest school districts in the country plan to start the year remote-only .
Trump quoted the American Academy of Pediatrics on the physical , social and emotional risks to children of school closures , and also talked about learning loss and food security issues .
The AAP has underlined that schools should open only when safe according to public health authorities .
He mentioned emerging evidence that young children are at lower risk for getting or spreading coronavirus .
He also , repeatedly , used the term `` China virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incitement to harassment .
On July 8 Trump tweeted that he might withhold funding from schools that did n't reopen .
At Thursday 's press conference he backed that up with details .
He said the White House was recommending that the Senate include $ 105 billion for schools in the coronavirus aid package currently being debated , to support smaller class sizes and more teachers — but only if schools reopen in person .
If not , he said , the money should go directly to parents to pay for private schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
`` If the school is closed the money should follow the student , '' he said .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been a strong advocate for alternatives to public schools .
She 's currently being sued by several state attorneys general , school districts and the NAACP for what they allege is illegally siphoning money from the initial coronavirus aid package towards private schools .

In Reversal, Trump Says Schools In Coronavirus Hot Spots Should Delay Reopening
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Public schools should delay reopening in coronavirus hot spots but should open fully if they want to receive tens of billions of dollars in new federal aid, President Trump said in a White House briefing.
At the news conference Thursday, Trump talked in more detail than he has in the past about the reopening of schools. He also announced new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reopening schools.
He had previously called the existing guidance "very tough [and] expensive," while Vice President Pence said "we don't want the guidance from CDC to be a reason why schools don't open."
The new guidance emphasizes the "critical" importance of opening schools in person. For example, it removes a statement from the previous document that "virtual-only classes, activities, and events" are "lowest risk."
It also provides an update on emerging evidence that children are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus: "As of July 21, 2020, 6.6% of reported COVID-19 cases and less than 0.1% of COVID-19-related deaths are among children and adolescents less than 18 years of age in the United States," the new guidance says.
Standing in front of a U.S. map covered in dark red splotches to symbolize the many regions of the country with virus spikes, Trump acknowledged the scientific consensus that in those hot spots, public schools might have to delay opening in person for "weeks."
"Teachers are essential workers," Trump said. "But every district should be actively making preparations to reopen." As of Thursday, according to Education Week, nine of the 15 largest school districts in the country plan to start the year remote-only.
Trump quoted the American Academy of Pediatrics on the physical, social and emotional risks to children of school closures and also talked about learning loss and food security issues. The association has underlined that schools should open only when safe according to public health authorities.
He mentioned emerging evidence that young children are at lower risk for getting or spreading the coronavirus. He also repeatedly used the term "China virus," which some have called a racist incitement to harassment.
On July 8, Trump tweeted that he might withhold funding from schools that didn't reopen. At Thursday's press conference he backed that up with details.
He said the White House was recommending that the Senate include $105 billion for schools in the coronavirus aid package currently being debated to support smaller class sizes and more teachers — but only if schools reopen in person. If not, he said, the money should go directly to parents to pay for private schools or home schooling. He specifically mentioned religious schools.
"If the school is closed, the money should follow the student," he said.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been a strong advocate for alternatives to public schools. She's being sued by several state attorneys general, school districts and the NAACP for what they allege is illegally siphoning money from the initial coronavirus aid package toward private schools.


npr--2020-07-23--Southwest And American Airlines Tighten Their Mask Requirements By Ending Exemptions

Southwest And American Airlines Tighten Their Mask Requirements By Ending Exemptions The face covering requirements on two major U.S. airlines just got stricter , with Southwest and American Airlines announcing this week they will end exemptions and step up enforcement .
`` According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one of the best ways we can slow the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a face covering , '' said Alison Taylor , the chief customer officer of American Airlines .
`` Customers and team members have been clear that they feel more safe when everyone is wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 , American Airlines will require all customers over the age of 2 to wear face coverings on board and at airports , citing the risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission .
The company said in a press release that individuals must keep their masks on from the time they enter their departure airport to the time they exit their arrival airport , except for while eating or drinking .
`` Those unwilling to comply with this face covering requirement at any time during their journey with American may be barred from future travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirement , '' it added .
Southwest Airlines is implementing a similar policy on July 27 , requiring all customers over the age of 2 to mask up at every stage of the travel process from check-in to baggage claim , except for `` very brief '' instances when eating and drinking .
The company is encouraging customers to bring their own face coverings , but said it will have masks available at airports upon request .
`` If a Customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason ( even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regret that we are unable to transport the Customer at this time , '' Southwest wrote on its website .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear face coverings in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
It acknowledges some exceptions , such as for children under the age of 2 and anyone who `` has trouble breathing , is unconscious , incapacitated , or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance . ''
According to the CDC , face coverings may not be feasible for everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health conditions .
For instance , masks may present a challenge for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or people who are hard of hearing and rely on lipreading to communicate .
Still , privacy regulations mean that passengers could theoretically claim that a medical condition prevented them from masking up , without having to provide proof .
Southwest President Tom Nealon said on a call with reporters and industry analysts on Thursday that there have been issues with face covering compliance in the past .
`` The reason we 're doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many exceptions to the policy and it has put our flight crews in a really tough spot , '' he said .
`` It also made our customers pretty uncomfortable , so this is something that goes into effect next week . ''
Delta Airlines also announced recent changes to its face covering requirement , specifically regarding the process of granting medical exceptions .
As of July 20 , customers who report having underlying conditions that prevent them from wearing masks must complete a thorough Clearance-To-Fly process for each trip .
The process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical professional , facilitated by a Delta agent , and can take up to an hour .
In a press release , Delta encouraged customers who can not wear masks due to a health condition to reconsider travel altogether .
CEO Ed Bastian repeated this message in a Today Show appearance on Wednesday , and spoke of how the airline has `` steadily and rather aggressively '' increased enforcement of its mask requirement .
`` You can not board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on , '' Bastian said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you insist on not wearing your mask , we will insist that you do n't fly Delta , into the future .
We already have over 100 people we put on that list . ''
Most major airlines in the U.S. began requiring passengers to wear face coverings while flying in April , and ramped up enforcement in mid-June amid growing calls from flight attendant unions , consumer groups and congressional Democrats for a federal requirement .
Federal COVID-19 guidelines encourage people to wear masks while flying and urge airlines to leave some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration has not made these actions mandatory .
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said on Thursday that he does not want such a requirement .
`` I do n't agree with mandating masks for airline travel and singling it out , '' he said .
`` I think if we 're going to mandate masks , let 's mandate masks everywhere . ''

Southwest And American Airlines Tighten Their Mask Requirements By Ending Exemptions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Riedel/AP Charlie Riedel/AP
The face covering requirements on two major U.S. airlines just got stricter, with Southwest and American Airlines announcing this week they will end exemptions and step up enforcement.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one of the best ways we can slow the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a face covering," said Alison Taylor, the chief customer officer of American Airlines. "Customers and team members have been clear that they feel more safe when everyone is wearing a face covering."
Effective July 29, American Airlines will require all customers over the age of 2 to wear face coverings on board and at airports, citing the risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission.
The company said in a press release that individuals must keep their masks on from the time they enter their departure airport to the time they exit their arrival airport, except for while eating or drinking.
"Those unwilling to comply with this face covering requirement at any time during their journey with American may be barred from future travel for the duration of this face covering requirement," it added.
Southwest Airlines is implementing a similar policy on July 27, requiring all customers over the age of 2 to mask up at every stage of the travel process from check-in to baggage claim, except for "very brief" instances when eating and drinking.
The company is encouraging customers to bring their own face coverings, but said it will have masks available at airports upon request.
"If a Customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason (even a verifiable medical condition), we regret that we are unable to transport the Customer at this time," Southwest wrote on its website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear face coverings in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It acknowledges some exceptions, such as for children under the age of 2 and anyone who "has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance."
According to the CDC, face coverings may not be feasible for everyone and may even exacerbate certain physical or mental health conditions. For instance, masks may present a challenge for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or people who are hard of hearing and rely on lipreading to communicate.
Still, privacy regulations mean that passengers could theoretically claim that a medical condition prevented them from masking up, without having to provide proof.
Southwest President Tom Nealon said on a call with reporters and industry analysts on Thursday that there have been issues with face covering compliance in the past.
"The reason we're doing this is we're simply seeing too many exceptions to the policy and it has put our flight crews in a really tough spot," he said. "It also made our customers pretty uncomfortable, so this is something that goes into effect next week."
Delta Airlines also announced recent changes to its face covering requirement, specifically regarding the process of granting medical exceptions.
As of July 20, customers who report having underlying conditions that prevent them from wearing masks must complete a thorough Clearance-To-Fly process for each trip. The process involves a virtual consultation with a third-party medical professional, facilitated by a Delta agent, and can take up to an hour.
In a press release, Delta encouraged customers who cannot wear masks due to a health condition to reconsider travel altogether.
CEO Ed Bastian repeated this message in a Today Show appearance on Wednesday, and spoke of how the airline has "steadily and rather aggressively" increased enforcement of its mask requirement.
"You cannot board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on," Bastian said. "If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don't fly Delta, into the future. We already have over 100 people we put on that list."
Most major airlines in the U.S. began requiring passengers to wear face coverings while flying in April, and ramped up enforcement in mid-June amid growing calls from flight attendant unions, consumer groups and congressional Democrats for a federal requirement.
Federal COVID-19 guidelines encourage people to wear masks while flying and urge airlines to leave some seats empty for safety reasons, but the Trump administration has not made these actions mandatory.
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said on Thursday that he does not want such a requirement.
"I don't agree with mandating masks for airline travel and singling it out," he said. "I think if we're going to mandate masks, let's mandate masks everywhere."
David Schaper contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-23--New Wharton Business Dean Says Lack Of Diversity Stems From A Lack Of Prioritizing

New Wharton Business Dean Says Lack Of Diversity Stems From A Lack Of Prioritizing One of the country 's leading business schools — the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania — has never had a woman or a person of color as its dean since it was founded nearly 140 years ago .
Erika James was named as Wharton 's 15th dean in February and officially started the job earlier this month .
The business world has been slow to reflect the gender and racial makeup of America today , but James says that 's not due to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think if we can create social media platforms , if we can put people on the moon and if we can have self-driving cars , there 's very little that we ca n't do , '' James said during an interview on All Things Considered .
`` So the fact that we have not yet created a more diverse work environment means that we simply have n't prioritized it . ''
In these excerpts from her interview , she discusses obstacles that women and people of color face in climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which `` inclusivity is just the order of the day . ''
You 've done a lot of research into why the pipeline does not promote more women and people of color to executive leadership positions .
Can you tell us about one of the obstacles that you personally have encountered that helped you understand these challenges first-hand ?
Clearly there are structures in place that make it difficult for women and people of color to have exposure to opportunities within the organization .
Folks of color generally have less access to mentors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks of color generally are n't sponsored in the same way .
What I personally have also found was the need for me to take responsibility for my own success and progress within an organization .
And for me , what that has meant was I needed to imagine that I had everything it took to be successful in a job or an assignment that might have been a stretch assignment , and take the risk that we see oftentimes so many men take , even if they do n't have all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women are more reluctant to take on new roles unless all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed .
What 's your message to incoming students at Wharton about their responsibilities to not just build successful companies but to build inclusive ones ?
I do n't know how much more of a message that we need to deliver , because as I see it , each generation is becoming more and more , not even cognizant or aware , but the expectation that they have is that inclusivity is just the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking and demanding of their current workforce or school to be inclusive .
And that is happening from white students , from students of color , from women , from men .
I just see they 're a growing force , where the expectation is that the organization they enter will be diverse and inclusive .

New Wharton Business Dean Says Lack Of Diversity Stems From A Lack Of Prioritizing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Emory University Goizueta Business School Emory University Goizueta Business School
One of the country's leading business schools — the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania — has never had a woman or a person of color as its dean since it was founded nearly 140 years ago.
Until now.
Erika James was named as Wharton's 15th dean in February and officially started the job earlier this month.
The business world has been slow to reflect the gender and racial makeup of America today, but James says that's not due to a lack of ability to make it happen.
"I think if we can create social media platforms, if we can put people on the moon and if we can have self-driving cars, there's very little that we can't do," James said during an interview on All Things Considered. "So the fact that we have not yet created a more diverse work environment means that we simply haven't prioritized it."
In these excerpts from her interview, she discusses obstacles that women and people of color face in climbing the executive ladder and a future in which "inclusivity is just the order of the day."
You've done a lot of research into why the pipeline does not promote more women and people of color to executive leadership positions. Can you tell us about one of the obstacles that you personally have encountered that helped you understand these challenges first-hand?
Clearly there are structures in place that make it difficult for women and people of color to have exposure to opportunities within the organization. Folks of color generally have less access to mentors. Sponsoring relationships are important, but folks of color generally aren't sponsored in the same way.
What I personally have also found was the need for me to take responsibility for my own success and progress within an organization. And for me, what that has meant was I needed to imagine that I had everything it took to be successful in a job or an assignment that might have been a stretch assignment, and take the risk that we see oftentimes so many men take, even if they don't have all the right experiences. And I think oftentimes women are more reluctant to take on new roles unless all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed.
Business Can Diversity Officers Actually Help Diversify Companies' Staff? Can Diversity Officers Actually Help Diversify Companies' Staff? Listen · 4:16 4:16
What's your message to incoming students at Wharton about their responsibilities to not just build successful companies but to build inclusive ones?
I don't know how much more of a message that we need to deliver, because as I see it, each generation is becoming more and more, not even cognizant or aware, but the expectation that they have is that inclusivity is just the order of the day. And they are looking and demanding of their current workforce or school to be inclusive. And that is happening from white students, from students of color, from women, from men. I just see they're a growing force, where the expectation is that the organization they enter will be diverse and inclusive.