npr--2020-01-18--Does The China Trade Deal Move The World Away From Free Trade?

Does The China Trade Deal Move The World Away From Free Trade ?
The `` Phase 1 '' trade deal with China that President Trump signed this week is unlike any previous free trade agreement .
From Trump 's point of view , that 's the whole point .
`` We are righting the wrongs of the past , '' Trump said Wednesday during a White House signing ceremony , `` and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers , farmers and families . ''
But by requiring China to buy specific amounts of goods from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that it moves away from a free-market arrangement to a more managed style of trade .
Like earlier agreements , the 96-page deal does call for lowering some trade barriers in China .
It opens a door for U.S. financial services , for example , and clears the way for China to buy more American beef , dairy products , and pet food .
But the agreement leaves many other trade barriers in place , including stiff tariffs on two-thirds of everything the U.S. buys from China .
According to Oxford Economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now 19.3 % — up from just 3 % before the trade war began .
`` It 's kind of a hidden tax , '' said Angela Carr , whose Turbie Twist company imports popular hair towels from China .
`` Sometimes people , because it 's called a tariff , I think are led to believe that perhaps China is paying for this , when in fact the cost is going to be carried by either the consumers , the retailers or the small businesses or all three . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade deficit with China by requiring that Beijing boost its purchases of U.S. goods and services by more than 50 % over the next two years .
`` What 's to me very important , number one , they 're going to be spending much more than $ 200 billion , '' Trump said .
The agreement sets specific targets for China to purchase a long list of farm goods , manufactured products , energy and services .
`` The only way for China to reach its commitments is to resort to Soviet-style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics , in a blog post .
Hufbauer called the purchase requirements a `` worrisome and radical change , '' after decades in which both Republican and Democratic administrations called on China to act more like a market economy , allowing competition to drive purchasing decisions .
`` It is a big reversal of how the U.S. has tried to do business for the last 40 or 50 years , '' Hufbauer said in an interview .
China sharply reduced its purchases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Phase 1 deal seeks to more than make up for that , boosting agricultural sales by $ 32 billion over the next two years , compared to 2017 levels .
Farmers enjoyed their best sales ever to China in 2012 .
But Darci Vetter , who was the chief agricultural trade negotiator for the U.S. during the Obama administration , said she never tried to set a numerical target .
`` What U.S. farmers and ranchers told me they wanted was really the opportunity to form long-term relationships with partners in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market basis , '' Vetter said .
`` Trade is relationships .
And we 're not looking for selling a lot of products to China for the next two years .
We 're looking for a relationship that will endure . ''
Some observers are skeptical that China will actually buy as much from the U.S. as the agreement calls for .
At the White House signing ceremony , Vice Premier Liu He said his country 's purchases would increase naturally as a result of economic growth .
`` As the living standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will import fine-quality agricultural products from countries across the world , '' Liu said through an interpreter .
He stressed that imports would be `` based on the market demand in China . ''
If market demand is soft , China might have to scale back purchases from other countries in order to meet its pledge to buy more from the United States .
`` Those countries will be very unhappy , '' Hufbauer said , `` that China is essentially diverting its purchases which were based somewhat on market principles , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no qualms about the prospect of displacing China 's other trading partners , including U.S. allies such as Canada or the European Union .
`` At long last , Americans have a government that puts them first , '' Trump said .
The EU warned this week that Europeans could bring a complaint to the World Trade Organization if the `` Phase 1 '' deal puts them at an unfair disadvantage .
Trump 's top trade negotiator , Robert Lighthizer , said the China deal does n't violate WTO rules or compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like the president , Lighthizer prefers to negotiate with other countries one-on-one , rather than working through the international trading system that the U.S. helped to create .
`` If you 're the biggest economy in the world , you 're far better off with bilateral agreements .
You 've got more leverage , '' Lighthizer said .
`` If you 're Switzerland , you 're better off working through a group and trying to get a coalition .
If you 're the United States , you do n't need to . ''

Does The China Trade Deal Move The World Away From Free Trade?
Enlarge this image toggle caption STR/AFP via Getty Images STR/AFP via Getty Images
The "Phase 1" trade deal with China that President Trump signed this week is unlike any previous free trade agreement. From Trump's point of view, that's the whole point.
"We are righting the wrongs of the past," Trump said Wednesday during a White House signing ceremony, "and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers, farmers and families."
But by requiring China to buy specific amounts of goods from the U.S., the deal is raising concerns that it moves away from a free-market arrangement to a more managed style of trade.
Like earlier agreements, the 96-page deal does call for lowering some trade barriers in China. It opens a door for U.S. financial services, for example, and clears the way for China to buy more American beef, dairy products, and pet food.
But the agreement leaves many other trade barriers in place, including stiff tariffs on two-thirds of everything the U.S. buys from China. According to Oxford Economics, the average tariff on Chinese imports is now 19.3% — up from just 3% before the trade war began.
"It's kind of a hidden tax," said Angela Carr, whose Turbie Twist company imports popular hair towels from China. "Sometimes people, because it's called a tariff, I think are led to believe that perhaps China is paying for this, when in fact the cost is going to be carried by either the consumers, the retailers or the small businesses or all three."
The deal also aims to narrow the U.S. trade deficit with China by requiring that Beijing boost its purchases of U.S. goods and services by more than 50% over the next two years.
"What's to me very important, number one, they're going to be spending much more than $200 billion," Trump said. The agreement sets specific targets for China to purchase a long list of farm goods, manufactured products, energy and services.
"The only way for China to reach its commitments is to resort to Soviet-style managed trade," wrote Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, in a blog post.
Hufbauer called the purchase requirements a "worrisome and radical change," after decades in which both Republican and Democratic administrations called on China to act more like a market economy, allowing competition to drive purchasing decisions.
"It is a big reversal of how the U.S. has tried to do business for the last 40 or 50 years," Hufbauer said in an interview.
China sharply reduced its purchases of American farm goods during the trade war. The Phase 1 deal seeks to more than make up for that, boosting agricultural sales by $32 billion over the next two years, compared to 2017 levels.
Farmers enjoyed their best sales ever to China in 2012. But Darci Vetter, who was the chief agricultural trade negotiator for the U.S. during the Obama administration, said she never tried to set a numerical target.
"What U.S. farmers and ranchers told me they wanted was really the opportunity to form long-term relationships with partners in China and to do so on a market basis," Vetter said. "Trade is relationships. And we're not looking for selling a lot of products to China for the next two years. We're looking for a relationship that will endure."
Some observers are skeptical that China will actually buy as much from the U.S. as the agreement calls for. At the White House signing ceremony, Vice Premier Liu He said his country's purchases would increase naturally as a result of economic growth.
"As the living standard of the Chinese people rises, we will import fine-quality agricultural products from countries across the world," Liu said through an interpreter. He stressed that imports would be "based on the market demand in China."
If market demand is soft, China might have to scale back purchases from other countries in order to meet its pledge to buy more from the United States.
"Those countries will be very unhappy," Hufbauer said, "that China is essentially diverting its purchases which were based somewhat on market principles, to prefer U.S. exports."
Trump has no qualms about the prospect of displacing China's other trading partners, including U.S. allies such as Canada or the European Union.
"At long last, Americans have a government that puts them first," Trump said.
The EU warned this week that Europeans could bring a complaint to the World Trade Organization if the "Phase 1" deal puts them at an unfair disadvantage.
Trump's top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, said the China deal doesn't violate WTO rules or compromise any other country's trading rights.
Like the president, Lighthizer prefers to negotiate with other countries one-on-one, rather than working through the international trading system that the U.S. helped to create.
"If you're the biggest economy in the world, you're far better off with bilateral agreements. You've got more leverage," Lighthizer said. "If you're Switzerland, you're better off working through a group and trying to get a coalition. If you're the United States, you don't need to."


npr--2020-01-17--Kids' Climate Case 'Reluctantly' Dismissed By Appeals Court

A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by nearly two dozen young people aimed at forcing the federal government to take bolder action on climate change , saying the courts were not the appropriate place to address the issue .
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday the young plaintiffs had `` made a compelling case that action is needed , '' but they did not have legal standing to bring the case .
The lawsuit , Juliana v. United States , was filed in 2015 on behalf of a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government continued to use and promote the use of fossil fuels , knowing that such consumption would destabilize the climate , putting future generations at risk .
By doing so , the plaintiffs argued , the U.S. government had violated their constitutional rights to life , liberty and property .
Judge Andrew D. Hurwitz agreed with some of that assertion , writing in a 32-page opinion that `` the federal government has long promoted fossil fuel use despite knowing that it can cause catastrophic climate change . ''
But , he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could compel the federal government to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down excess greenhouse gas emissions as the plaintiffs requested .
`` Reluctantly , we conclude that such relief is beyond our constitutional power , '' Hurwitz wrote .
`` Rather , the plaintiffs ' impressive case for redress must be presented to the political branches of government . ''
The decision reversed an earlier ruling by a district court judge that would have allowed the case to move forward .
Philip Gregory , who served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying in an interview with NPR that they would seek an `` en banc petition , '' which would put the issue before the full 9th Circuit for review .
Gregory , who spoke to some of the young plaintiffs following the decisions , says they were hopeful that their pending petition will be considered , `` because as we all know , this Congress and this president will do nothing to ameliorate the climate crisis . ''
Both the Trump and Obama administrations opposed the lawsuit .
All three of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed under Obama .
Hurwitz and Judge Mary Murguia made up the majority but the third , Judge Josephine L. Staton , wrote a blistering dissent .
`` In these proceedings , the government accepts as fact that the United States has reached a tipping point crying out for a concerted response — yet presses ahead toward calamity , '' she wrote .
`` It is as if an asteroid were barreling toward Earth and the government decided to shut down our only defenses . ''

Kids' Climate Case 'Reluctantly' Dismissed By Appeals Court
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wilfredo Lee/AP Wilfredo Lee/AP
A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by nearly two dozen young people aimed at forcing the federal government to take bolder action on climate change, saying the courts were not the appropriate place to address the issue.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday the young plaintiffs had "made a compelling case that action is needed," but they did not have legal standing to bring the case.
The lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, was filed in 2015 on behalf of a group of children and teenagers who said the U.S. government continued to use and promote the use of fossil fuels, knowing that such consumption would destabilize the climate, putting future generations at risk.
By doing so, the plaintiffs argued, the U.S. government had violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty and property.
Judge Andrew D. Hurwitz agreed with some of that assertion, writing in a 32-page opinion that "the federal government has long promoted fossil fuel use despite knowing that it can cause catastrophic climate change."
But, he continued, it was unclear if the court could compel the federal government to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down excess greenhouse gas emissions as the plaintiffs requested.
"Reluctantly, we conclude that such relief is beyond our constitutional power," Hurwitz wrote. "Rather, the plaintiffs' impressive case for redress must be presented to the political branches of government."
The decision reversed an earlier ruling by a district court judge that would have allowed the case to move forward.
Philip Gregory, who served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs, strongly disagreed with the 2-1 ruling, saying in an interview with NPR that they would seek an "en banc petition," which would put the issue before the full 9th Circuit for review.
Gregory, who spoke to some of the young plaintiffs following the decisions, says they were hopeful that their pending petition will be considered, "because as we all know, this Congress and this president will do nothing to ameliorate the climate crisis."
Both the Trump and Obama administrations opposed the lawsuit. All three of the judges involved in Friday's ruling were appointed under Obama.
Hurwitz and Judge Mary Murguia made up the majority but the third, Judge Josephine L. Staton, wrote a blistering dissent.
"In these proceedings, the government accepts as fact that the United States has reached a tipping point crying out for a concerted response — yet presses ahead toward calamity," she wrote. "It is as if an asteroid were barreling toward Earth and the government decided to shut down our only defenses."


npr--2020-01-17--Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Draws Line On His Role In Trump Impeachment Defense

Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Draws Line On His Role In Trump Impeachment Defense When President Trump 's defense team delivers its opening statement in the Senate impeachment trial next week , famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz will have a starring role .
But in an interview with NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly on Friday , he sought to make clear that his involvement is limited to arguing that the two articles of impeachment do not satisfy the constitutional criteria for removing the president from office .
`` I will not be involved in arguing the facts , nor will I be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of strategy on the facts .
My role is limited .
I am doing precisely the same thing I would be doing had Hillary Clinton — who I voted for — been elected president and had the Republicans try to impeach her , '' Dershowitz told All Things Considered .
He joins Ken Starr , Robert Ray , Jane Raskin and Pam Bondi on a team led by his private attorney Jay Sekulow and White House counsel Pat Cipollone .
Dershowitz , who consulted with former President Bill Clinton 's defense during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not weigh in on the issue of whether witnesses should be allowed in the Senate trial — an issue being pushed by Democrats and so far resisted by Republicans .
Dershowitz often defends Trump on television , and wrote a book in 2018 called The Case Against Impeaching Trump .
He described himself as a liberal Democrat who does n't agree with Trump 's policies on immigration , health care , abortion and other issues .
`` But I have never allowed partisanship or politics or my own personal views to intrude into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who I will represent , what constitutional arguments I would make , '' he said .
One of his clients was convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , who authorities say killed himself in prison last year where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges .
One of Epstein 's accusers has alleged she was forced to have sex with Dershowitz when she was underage — a charge that Dershowitz has denied .
He and his accuser are suing each other for defamation .
Dershowitz said he flagged the issue to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` that it would n't influence the decision and that they 're fully aware of the false accusations against me and they 're fully aware of the role I played . ''
`` As Jeffrey Epstein 's lawyer and as O.J .
Simpson 's lawyer and as the lawyer for 250 people over a long , long , long career ... nobody who 's an experienced lawyer comes on a blank slate , '' he said .

Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Draws Line On His Role In Trump Impeachment Defense
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images Mark Wilson/Getty Images
When President Trump's defense team delivers its opening statement in the Senate impeachment trial next week, famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz will have a starring role.
But in an interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly on Friday, he sought to make clear that his involvement is limited to arguing that the two articles of impeachment do not satisfy the constitutional criteria for removing the president from office.
"I will not be involved in arguing the facts, nor will I be part of the defense team in the sense of strategy on the facts. My role is limited. I am doing precisely the same thing I would be doing had Hillary Clinton — who I voted for — been elected president and had the Republicans try to impeach her," Dershowitz told All Things Considered.
He joins Ken Starr, Robert Ray, Jane Raskin and Pam Bondi on a team led by his private attorney Jay Sekulow and White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
Dershowitz, who consulted with former President Bill Clinton's defense during his impeachment trial, said he would not weigh in on the issue of whether witnesses should be allowed in the Senate trial — an issue being pushed by Democrats and so far resisted by Republicans.
Dershowitz often defends Trump on television, and wrote a book in 2018 called The Case Against Impeaching Trump. He described himself as a liberal Democrat who doesn't agree with Trump's policies on immigration, health care, abortion and other issues.
"But I have never allowed partisanship or politics or my own personal views to intrude into principled decisions about what I will represent, who I will represent, what constitutional arguments I would make," he said.
One of his clients was convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who authorities say killed himself in prison last year where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. One of Epstein's accusers has alleged she was forced to have sex with Dershowitz when she was underage — a charge that Dershowitz has denied. He and his accuser are suing each other for defamation.
Dershowitz said he flagged the issue to Trump and his defense team, who said "that it wouldn't influence the decision and that they're fully aware of the false accusations against me and they're fully aware of the role I played."
"As Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer and as O.J. Simpson's lawyer and as the lawyer for 250 people over a long, long, long career ... nobody who's an experienced lawyer comes on a blank slate," he said.


npr--2020-01-17--Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride

Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $ 25,000 For A Ride It costs just $ 16 to buy a one-way ticket on the Amtrak train from Chicago to Bloomington , Ill. , unless you 're the two people who use wheelchairs and tried to buy tickets recently .
They were told their tickets will cost not $ 16 — but $ 25,000 .
When Adam Ballard saw what Amtrak wanted to charge , he could n't believe it .
`` I thought it was a mistake .
That 's the price of a car , '' Ballard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ?
I was sure it was a mistake .
But I 've seen it in writing .
So I know it 's not . ''
Ballard works for a disability service and advocacy center in Chicago called Access Living .
He is its housing and transportation policy analyst , and a group from his office is headed to Bloomington next Wednesday for a work retreat .
There are 10 of them , and five — including Ballard — use wheelchairs .
Their train has three cars .
Each car has one space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces for five people in wheelchairs .
In the past , when Access Living gave advance notice that it was sending a large group , Amtrak took out more seats to fit more wheelchairs .
Once , it took out seats in the dining car and charged a few hundred dollars extra .
`` I use a power wheelchair .
It is standard size for a power chair , but it 's larger than most manual chairs .
So I take up a little extra space , '' Ballard says .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what kind of assortment of people and devices we had together for our group , it was never a problem to get everybody on board . ''
But not this time .
On Dec. 30 , an Amtrak agent for group sales based in Philadelphia wrote : `` I received a cost regarding the removal of seats and I 've been advised this will be over $ 25 K. Would you like for me to proceed with the request ? ''
Someone from the group wrote back : `` Am I reading this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Jan. 2 .
`` The cost is correct , '' the agent wrote , citing a new policy for taking out those seats .
The agent explained that it 's expensive to take out extra seats and that it means taking a car out of service .
`` With removal of seats , it can be quite costly , '' the agent wrote .
`` In previous years , the removal of seats from the coach cars incurred fees that Amtrak absorbed ... We understand and appreciate your loyalty with Amtrak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to absorb these fees .
These polices have changed nationwide as of 2019 . ''
Officials at Access Living then reached out to senior officials at Amtrak asking for a `` return to the prior arrangement , '' according to Bridget Hayman , director of communications for Access Living .
She says Amtrak officials agreed to `` present the situation to upper management '' and give the disability group an answer by Jan. 13 .
But there was no response by the promised deadline , Hayman says , and then no communication when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
Jonathan Mook is an attorney who advises companies about their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act , or ADA .
He was surprised by the $ 25,000 figure .
`` The $ 25,000 ... that 's a Hobson 's choice .
It 's no choice at all .
Obviously , the group ca n't pay $ 25,000 , '' Mook says .
The ADA , which became law 30 years ago this year , is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in jobs , schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trains .
It requires companies like Amtrak to make `` reasonable accommodations '' so that people with disabilities have comparable access to transportation as do people without disabilities .
The law says a business can get an exemption from the requirement to make an accommodation if doing so would require an `` undue burden '' on the company .
Mook , who is with the Virginia-based law firm DiMuro Ginsberg , says that 's mostly a protection for small businesses , or maybe for a big project — like a renovation that adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
Still , he says , it 's a `` gray area '' in the law to determine how much money a company is required to spend .
But even if it really costs Amtrak $ 25,000 to take a train car out of service and pull up the seats , Mook says , `` that does n't end the story ... [ Amtrak ] has to reach out and say , 'Let 's talk about some alternatives here .
What can we devise ? '
`` That is what it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR contacted Amtrak several times .
One spokesperson noted that the policy about reconfiguring seats is not directed at people with disabilities but applies to anyone who makes a request that requires `` removing seating or making other physical changes to the service . ''
The official referred NPR to a page on Amtrak 's website .
It does n't mention a new policy for people with disabilities or pulling up seats .
At the top of the page it says : `` Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many wheelchair users — like Adam Ballard — prefer trains to buses and airplanes .
`` We 've looked at other options , like buses , '' Ballard says .
`` And nothing compares to Amtrak . ''
On the train , the bathrooms are spacious , large enough to fit a wheelchair .
And Ballard can stay in his wheelchair , instead of checking it like luggage — and then worrying that this expensive piece of equipment that is hard to fix and crucial to his mobility — will be damaged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting next week .
Access Living is using one of its vans to take him and a colleague .
The other eight people in the group will buy those $ 16 one-way tickets on the train .
For $ 25,000 , they could buy more than 1,500 tickets .
After publication of the NPR story , Amtrak released a statement reiterating its earlier comments that the charges were part of the company 's policy to charge passengers `` an additional fee when any group requires reconfiguration of our railcars . ''
The statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will contact Access Living and suggest costs could be avoided by using the two separate trains on this route , with each train separated by about three hours and having three spaces for wheelchairs without any reconfiguration .
We will also confirm the pricing for a railcar reconfiguration given to this important and valued customer . ''

Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride
Enlarge this image toggle caption Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Updated at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 20
It costs just $16 to buy a one-way ticket on the Amtrak train from Chicago to Bloomington, Ill., unless you're the two people who use wheelchairs and tried to buy tickets recently. They were told their tickets will cost not $16 — but $25,000.
When Adam Ballard saw what Amtrak wanted to charge, he couldn't believe it.
"I thought it was a mistake. That's the price of a car," Ballard says. "How can that be possible? I was sure it was a mistake. But I've seen it in writing. So I know it's not."
Ballard works for a disability service and advocacy center in Chicago called Access Living. He is its housing and transportation policy analyst, and a group from his office is headed to Bloomington next Wednesday for a work retreat.
There are 10 of them, and five — including Ballard — use wheelchairs. Their train has three cars. Each car has one space for a wheelchair. That makes three spaces for five people in wheelchairs. In the past, when Access Living gave advance notice that it was sending a large group, Amtrak took out more seats to fit more wheelchairs. Once, it took out seats in the dining car and charged a few hundred dollars extra.
"I use a power wheelchair. It is standard size for a power chair, but it's larger than most manual chairs. So I take up a little extra space," Ballard says. "But always in the past, no matter what kind of assortment of people and devices we had together for our group, it was never a problem to get everybody on board."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vivian McCall for NPR Vivian McCall for NPR
But not this time.
On Dec. 30, an Amtrak agent for group sales based in Philadelphia wrote: "I received a cost regarding the removal of seats and I've been advised this will be over $25 K. Would you like for me to proceed with the request?"
Someone from the group wrote back: "Am I reading this correctly?"
The answer came back on Jan. 2. "The cost is correct," the agent wrote, citing a new policy for taking out those seats. The agent explained that it's expensive to take out extra seats and that it means taking a car out of service.
"With removal of seats, it can be quite costly," the agent wrote. "In previous years, the removal of seats from the coach cars incurred fees that Amtrak absorbed ... We understand and appreciate your loyalty with Amtrak. Going forward, we cannot continue to absorb these fees. These polices have changed nationwide as of 2019."
Officials at Access Living then reached out to senior officials at Amtrak asking for a "return to the prior arrangement," according to Bridget Hayman, director of communications for Access Living. She says Amtrak officials agreed to "present the situation to upper management" and give the disability group an answer by Jan. 13.
But there was no response by the promised deadline, Hayman says, and then no communication when officials at Access Living tried to follow up.
Jonathan Mook is an attorney who advises companies about their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. He was surprised by the $25,000 figure.
"The $25,000 ... that's a Hobson's choice. It's no choice at all. Obviously, the group can't pay $25,000," Mook says.
The ADA, which became law 30 years ago this year, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in jobs, schools, public places and transportation — including trains. It requires companies like Amtrak to make "reasonable accommodations" so that people with disabilities have comparable access to transportation as do people without disabilities. The law says a business can get an exemption from the requirement to make an accommodation if doing so would require an "undue burden" on the company.
Mook, who is with the Virginia-based law firm DiMuro Ginsberg, says that's mostly a protection for small businesses, or maybe for a big project — like a renovation that adds ramps and elevators to a historic train station.
Still, he says, it's a "gray area" in the law to determine how much money a company is required to spend. But even if it really costs Amtrak $25,000 to take a train car out of service and pull up the seats, Mook says, "that doesn't end the story ... [Amtrak] has to reach out and say, 'Let's talk about some alternatives here. What can we devise?' "
That is what it did with Access Living in the past.
NPR contacted Amtrak several times. One spokesperson noted that the policy about reconfiguring seats is not directed at people with disabilities but applies to anyone who makes a request that requires "removing seating or making other physical changes to the service."
The official referred NPR to a page on Amtrak's website. It doesn't mention a new policy for people with disabilities or pulling up seats. At the top of the page it says: "Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests."
In fact, many wheelchair users — like Adam Ballard — prefer trains to buses and airplanes.
"We've looked at other options, like buses," Ballard says. "And nothing compares to Amtrak."
On the train, the bathrooms are spacious, large enough to fit a wheelchair. And Ballard can stay in his wheelchair, instead of checking it like luggage — and then worrying that this expensive piece of equipment that is hard to fix and crucial to his mobility — will be damaged.
Ballard still plans to go to the meeting next week. Access Living is using one of its vans to take him and a colleague. The other eight people in the group will buy those $16 one-way tickets on the train.
For $25,000, they could buy more than 1,500 tickets.
After publication of the NPR story, Amtrak released a statement reiterating its earlier comments that the charges were part of the company's policy to charge passengers "an additional fee when any group requires reconfiguration of our railcars."
The statement went on to say: "We will contact Access Living and suggest costs could be avoided by using the two separate trains on this route, with each train separated by about three hours and having three spaces for wheelchairs without any reconfiguration. We will also confirm the pricing for a railcar reconfiguration given to this important and valued customer."
On Sunday, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq War veteran and double amputee, said in a series of tweets that she was disappointed that Amtrak "appears to have failed to offer a public apology for its initial mistake."
"The Americans with Disabilities Act has been the law of the land for 30 years," she said. "Yet in 2020, @ Amtrak believes it would be an unreasonable burden to remove architectural barriers that would enable a group with five wheelchair users to travel together."
Duckworth, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, went on to say she planned to request a meeting with Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson "to discuss eliminating Amtrak's nationwide policy of refusing to absorb any costs associated with reconfiguring a railcar to accommodate a group of wheelchair users."


npr--2020-01-17--3 Alleged Members Of Hate Group 'The Base' Arrested In Georgia, Another In Wisconsin

3 Alleged Members Of Hate Group 'The Base ' Arrested In Georgia , Another In Wisconsin Police have arrested three men in northern Georgia who are suspected of belonging to a violent white supremacist group called The Base , saying that they were plotting to commit murder and that they belonged to a criminal street gang .
They 're the second trio of suspected Base members to be arrested this week ; the FBI announced Thursday that it arrested three other men in Maryland .
A fourth man from Wisconsin , also accused of being a member of the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in connection with vandalism of a synagogue as part of a nationwide series of attacks on minority-owned properties .
The Floyd County , Ga. , Police Department says Luke Austin Lane , 21 , Michael John Helterbrand , 25 , and Jacob Kaderli , 19 , were `` allegedly involved in a white supremacist group with plans to overthrow the government '' and to kill a married couple whom they identified as having high-profile roles in the far-left group Antifa .
The FBI 's Atlanta office `` conducted the bulk of the preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
They add that while other arrests have been made across the U.S. , the Georgia case is important because a `` training camp and leadership was based at a home '' in the town of Silver Creek in Floyd County .
The Base was founded in mid-2018 and `` seeks to accelerate the downfall of the United States ( US ) government , incite a race war , and establish a white ethno-state , '' according to an affidavit prepared by local law enforcement .
The FBI successfully placed an undercover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , and the agent also came to know Yousef Omar Barasneh of Oak Creek , Wisc .
Barasneh apparently joined the group under the name Joseph or Josef , according to an affidavit filed in federal court .
He is accused of painting swastikas and The Base 's symbol at the Beth Israeli Sinai Congregation in Racine , Wisc .
The undercover agent interviewed online with Lane last July to gain access to the members-only chat room , the affidavit states .
The next month , the agent was invited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searched him to make sure he was not carrying any recording devices and then asked him to follow them to a 105-acre lot owned by Lane and his father .
There , the agent was welcomed as a member .
The affidavit alleges that Lane gave him `` a black Balaklava hood and a Velcro Base logo patch to welcome [ him ] as a new member of The Base . ''
Lane and Kaderli allegedly then told the agent that the next day 's training would `` include 'retreating under fire ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affidavit states .
The stated purpose of the drills was allegedly to prepare The Base 's members for the `` Boogaloo '' – a name its members use to refer to what they see as the inevitable `` collapse of the United States and subsequent race war . ''
Two months later , in October , the agent met with Lane , Kaderli and a person `` who crossed into the United States illegally , '' identified simply as `` TB Member '' in the document .
They spoke about their opposition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to murder an unspecified victim or victim , '' the affidavit reads .
`` Any engagement in anti-fascist activity will carry the death penalty , '' the TB member is quoted as saying .
That same month , another member of The Base , Richard Tobin — who was at the time cooperating with the FBI , according to court filings — admitted that in September 2019 , he directed individuals to attack and `` tag the s*** '' out of synagogues .
It was part of an event he called Operation Kristallnacht @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nazis in Germany ransacked Jewish homes , hospitals and schools .
Tobin told the FBI that Barasneh , who was only known as Joseph , `` carried out the attack on the synagogue . ''
He also confirmed to authorities that the 22-year-old has been member of The Base 's Great Lakes cell since March 2019 and was vetted by the group 's leader , an affidavit states .
Electronic devices confiscated by officials contained encrypted messages between `` Joseph '' and Tobin .
In one , the documents say , `` Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack saying `` something to the effect of 'here 's what I did . '
`` Another message from Joseph said : `` Imagine if across the country on local news , everyone is reporting on new nazi presence .
... Our op will be a perfect [ expletive ] you to these [ expletive ] if we become terrorists . ''
The charging documents against Barasneh do not identify Tobin by name — he 's called Co-conspirator 1 — but certain `` details match those in the criminal complaint that was filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press reported .
According to the complaint filed in Wisconsin , the undercover agent also met `` Joseph '' in November 2019 when a group of about a dozen gathered in Silver Creek , Ga. , for an in-person training .
The meetup included `` firearms training , grappling , medical training and a pagan 'blot ' ritual where a goat was sacrificed , '' court documents say .
The Georgia arrests were announced on the heels of those of three other alleged members of The Base in Maryland who had built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also allegedly discussed attending a pro-gun rally in Richmond , Va. , slated for Monday .
The Maryland trio includes Canadian national Patrik Jordan Mathews , who entered the U.S. illegally last year .
Lane allegedly told the undercover agent on Dec. 6 that he was crafting a plan to kill two local Antifa members .
During a planning meeting on Dec. 13 , Lane also said he wanted to kill the person identified as TB Member and another member based in Maryland because of concerns that they would connect Lane to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out .
Lane , Kaderli and the undercover agent drove on Dec. 14 to the intended victims ' property in Bartow Country , Ga. , in order to plan for the killings .
Lane later laid out an elaborate plan to gain entry into the home and kill the couple .
Helterbrand was brought up to speed at a later meeting and said , `` This is what I 've been fantasizing about for about two years now , '' the document states .
The group 's plans were slowed because Helterbrand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from back surgery .
They agreed to carry out their plan in late February .
The affidavit ends with a description of another reconnaissance mission to the intended victims ' house on Jan. 12 .
The Base is allegedly organized into regional chapters , acting in a decentralized way so that those not involved in a particular criminal act could have plausible deniability .
Its members also actively agitate on social media networks .
For example , one post mentioned in the affidavit said , `` No need to wait until all conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create them .
Insurgency begins as a terrorist campaign . ''

3 Alleged Members Of Hate Group 'The Base' Arrested In Georgia, Another In Wisconsin
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Police have arrested three men in northern Georgia who are suspected of belonging to a violent white supremacist group called The Base, saying that they were plotting to commit murder and that they belonged to a criminal street gang.
They're the second trio of suspected Base members to be arrested this week; the FBI announced Thursday that it arrested three other men in Maryland.
A fourth man, from Wisconsin, also accused of being a member of the group, was charged on Friday with conspiracy in connection with vandalism of a synagogue as part of a nationwide series of attacks on minority-owned properties.
The Floyd County, Ga., Police Department says Luke Austin Lane, 21, Michael John Helterbrand, 25, and Jacob Kaderli, 19, were "allegedly involved in a white supremacist group with plans to overthrow the government" and to kill a married couple whom they identified as having high-profile roles in the far-left group Antifa.
The FBI's Atlanta office "conducted the bulk of the preliminary investigation" into the group, police say. They add that while other arrests have been made across the U.S., the Georgia case is important because a "training camp and leadership was based at a home" in the town of Silver Creek in Floyd County.
The Base was founded in mid-2018 and "seeks to accelerate the downfall of the United States (US) government, incite a race war, and establish a white ethno-state," according to an affidavit prepared by local law enforcement.
The FBI successfully placed an undercover federal agent within The Base's membership in Georgia, and the agent also came to know Yousef Omar Barasneh of Oak Creek, Wis.
Barasneh apparently joined the group under the name Joseph or Josef, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. He is accused of painting swastikas and The Base's symbol at the Beth Israel Sinai Congregation in Racine, Wis.
The undercover agent interviewed online with Lane last July to gain access to the members-only chat room, the affidavit states. The next month, the agent was invited to meet with Lane and Kaderli. They searched him to make sure he was not carrying any recording devices and then asked him to follow them to a 105-acre lot owned by Lane and his father.
There, the agent was welcomed as a member. The affidavit alleges that Lane gave him "a black Balaklava hood and a Velcro Base logo patch to welcome [him] as a new member of The Base."
Lane and Kaderli allegedly then told the agent that the next day's training would "include 'retreating under fire' drills and moving-and-shooting drills," the affidavit states. The stated purpose of the drills was allegedly to prepare The Base's members for the "Boogaloo" – a name its members use to refer to what they see as the inevitable "collapse of the United States and subsequent race war."
Two months later, in October, the agent met with Lane, Kaderli and a person "who crossed into the United States illegally," identified simply as "TB Member" in the document. They spoke about their opposition to Antifa "and ultimately a veiled plan to murder an unspecified victim or victim," the affidavit reads.
"Any engagement in anti-fascist activity will carry the death penalty," the TB member is quoted as saying.
That same month, another member of The Base, Richard Tobin — who was at the time cooperating with the FBI, according to court filings — admitted that in September 2019, he directed individuals to attack and "tag the s***" out of synagogues. It was part of an event he called Operation Kristallnacht, named after the night in 1938 when Nazis in Germany ransacked Jewish homes, hospitals and schools.
Tobin told the FBI that Barasneh, who was only known as Joseph, "carried out the attack on the synagogue." He also confirmed to authorities that the 22-year-old has been member of The Base's Great Lakes cell since March 2019 and was vetted by the group's leader, an affidavit states.
Electronic devices confiscated by officials contained encrypted messages between "Joseph" and Tobin. In one, the documents say, "Joseph" sent a news article about the attack saying "something to the effect of 'here's what I did.' "
Another message from Joseph said: "Imagine if across the country on local news, everyone is reporting on new nazi presence. ... Our op will be a perfect [expletive] you to these [expletive] if we become terrorists."
The charging documents against Barasneh do not identify Tobin by name — he's called Co-conspirator 1 — but certain "details match those in the criminal complaint that was filed against him in November," The Associated Press reported.
According to the complaint filed in Wisconsin, the undercover agent also met "Joseph" in November 2019 when a group of about a dozen gathered in Silver Creek, Ga., for an in-person training. The meetup included "firearms training, grappling, medical training and a pagan 'blot' ritual where a goat was sacrificed," court documents say.
The Georgia arrests were announced on the heels of those of three other alleged members of The Base in Maryland who had built an assault rifle and accumulated ammunition and who also allegedly discussed attending a pro-gun rally in Richmond, Va., slated for Monday. The Maryland trio includes Canadian national Patrik Jordan Mathews, who entered the U.S. illegally last year.
Lane allegedly told the undercover agent on Dec. 6 that he was crafting a plan to kill two local Antifa members. During a planning meeting on Dec. 13, Lane also said he wanted to kill the person identified as TB Member and another member based in Maryland because of concerns that they would connect Lane to the planned killings, if they were carried out.
Lane, Kaderli and the undercover agent drove on Dec. 14 to the intended victims' property in Bartow County, Ga., in order to plan for the killings. Lane later laid out an elaborate plan to gain entry into the home and kill the couple. Helterbrand was brought up to speed at a later meeting and said, "This is what I've been fantasizing about for about two years now," the document states.
The group's plans were slowed because Helterbrand said he needed six weeks to recover from back surgery. They agreed to carry out their plan in late February. The affidavit ends with a description of another reconnaissance mission to the intended victims' house on Jan. 12.
The Base is allegedly organized into regional chapters, acting in a decentralized way so that those not involved in a particular criminal act could have plausible deniability.
Its members also actively agitate on social media networks. For example, one post mentioned in the affidavit said, "No need to wait until all conditions for revolution exist – guerrilla insurrection can create them. Insurgency begins as a terrorist campaign."


npr--2020-01-18--White House Responds To Senate Impeachment Trial Summons

The White House 's legal team has called the House impeachment process `` highly partisan and reckless , '' in a forceful response to the summons issued last week by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ahead of President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial , which begins next Tuesday .
`` The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president , '' the White House 's response says , according to sources close to the president 's legal team .
`` This is a brazen and unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election . ''
Sources close to the president 's legal team said the White House will also file a brief Monday .
The response is part of the exchange of legal briefs that was sparked when McConnell noticed Thursday the schedule for the legal paperwork that is required from the House impeachment managers and Trump 's defense team .
The impeachment managers ' response was received Saturday .
The actions come a month after the House approved two articles of impeachment against the president , charging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office by attempting to pressure the government of Ukraine to investigate potential political opponent Joe Biden and his son 's activities there and with obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate in its investigation .
Trump denies any wrongdoing and has excoriated the process .
Sources close to the president 's legal team called the articles of impeachment `` constitutionally invalid on their face . ''
`` They fail to allege any crime or violation of law whatsoever , let alone high crimes and misdemeanors , '' they said .
Last week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment against Trump to the Senate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named seven Democratic members of Congress as the managers who will argue the case for impeachment .
They are : Reps. Adam Schiff , Jerry Nadler , Zoe Lofgren , Val Demings , Hakeem Jeffries , Sylvia Garcia and Jason Crow .
Pelosi said Schiff will take the lead .
The rules that govern the Senate trial , how long it will last , how many hours a day it will go on for , and other details will be made public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution that will formally kick off the process .
Twenty Republican senators would need to break with the president and join with all Democrats to remove Trump from office .
There is little to no indication at this point that is likely to happen — or come close .

White House Calls Impeachment Process 'Highly Partisan And Reckless'
Enlarge this image J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Updated Sunday at 11:34 a.m. ET
The White House's legal team has called the House impeachment process "highly partisan and reckless" in a forceful response to the summons issued last week by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ahead of President Trump's Senate impeachment trial, which begins Tuesday.
"The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their President," private attorney Jay Sekulow and White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who are members of Trump's legal team, wrote in a response Saturday. "This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election."
Also Saturday: The seven House impeachment managers laid out the case that they will present to the Senate in the trial.
"President Trump abused the powers of his office to invite foreign interference in an election for his own personal political gain and to the detriment of American national security interests," the managers wrote in their brief. "He abandoned his oath to faithfully execute the laws and betrayed his public trust. President Trump's misconduct presents a danger to our democratic processes, our national security, and our commitment to the rule of law. He must be removed from office."
The White House response and House managers' brief are formal procedures of the impeachment trial. Sources close to the president's legal team said the White House will also file a brief on Monday.
The actions come a month after the House approved two articles of impeachment against the president, charging him with abusing the powers of his office by attempting to pressure the government of Ukraine to investigate potential political opponent Joe Biden and his son's activities there, and with obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate in its investigation.
Last week, the House of Representatives delivered the articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named seven Democratic members of Congress as the managers who will argue the case for impeachment. They are Reps. Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings, Hakeem Jeffries, Sylvia Garcia and Jason Crow. Pelosi said Schiff will take the lead.
"The only remaining question is whether the members of the Senate will accept and carry out the responsibility placed on them by the Framers of our Constitution and their constitutional Oaths," the House managers wrote in the brief.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and has excoriated the process.
Robert Ray, another member of the president's defense team, told NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Sunday that the charges against Trump are not impeachable crimes.
"It's not, importantly, treason, bribery or any other high crime or misdemeanor," Ray said. "It's not bribery. It's not extortion. It's not an illegal campaign contribution. It's not any of those things. And because it is not any of those things, that is why it is not impeachable."
On Thursday, a nonpartisan federal watchdog concluded that Trump broke the law when he froze assistance funds for Ukraine. The White House has said that it believed Trump was acting within his legal authority.
The rules that will govern the Senate trial — how long it will last, how many hours a day it will go on for and other details — will be made public Tuesday when the Senate votes on a rules resolution that will formally kick off the process.
Twenty Republican senators would need to break with the president and join with all Democrats to remove Trump from office. There is little to no indication at this point that this is likely to happen — or come close.


npr--2020-01-18--Read The White House Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons

Read The White House Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons The White House released its formal response to the summons sent by the Senate last week , a procedural part of the impeachment process ahead of the trial that begins on Tuesday .
`` The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president , '' the White House 's response says .
`` This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the legal paperwork required in the process initiated Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky .
The House impeachment managers filed Saturday their own `` trial brief '' on their arguments for the two articles of impeachment .
The White House has until Monday to file its brief .
The House of Representatives voted last month to impeach President Trump for obstructing Congress and abuse of power .
The process was linked to his phone call with his newly elected Ukrainian counterpart .
Democrats say Trump sought an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release of frozen military aid and a White House visit .
Trump has dismissed those allegations .
The Senate trial , where two-thirds of the 100 senators must vote to remove the president , begins Tuesday ; Trump is almost certain to be acquitted .

Read The White House Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Helber/AP Steve Helber/AP
The White House released its formal response to the summons sent by the Senate last week, a procedural part of the impeachment process ahead of the trial that begins on Tuesday.
"The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president," the White House's response says. "This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election."
The White House response is part of the legal paperwork required in the process initiated Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The House impeachment managers filed Saturday their own "trial brief" on their arguments for the two articles of impeachment. The White House has until Monday to file its brief.
The House of Representatives voted last month to impeach President Trump for obstructing Congress and abuse of power. The process was linked to his phone call with his newly elected Ukrainian counterpart. Democrats say Trump sought an investigation into the Bidens in exchange for a release of frozen military aid and a White House visit. Trump has dismissed those allegations.
The Senate trial, where two-thirds of the 100 senators must vote to remove the president, begins Tuesday; Trump is almost certain to be acquitted.


npr--2020-01-18--Read The Impeachment Managers' Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons

Read The Impeachment Managers ' Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons House impeachment managers released their formal response to the summons sent by the Senate last week , a procedural part of the impeachment process ahead of the trial that begins on Tuesday .
`` President Trump 's conduct is the Framers ' worst nightmare , '' they said in the brief released Saturday .
The response is part of the legal paperwork required in the process initiated Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. President Trump 's defense team has until noon on Monday , Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the president should be acquitted , though sources close to the president 's legal team on Saturday evening responded to the summons by excoriating the entire impeachment process .
The House impeachment managers have until noon on Tuesday to respond to the defense team 's brief .
The House of Representatives voted last month to impeach the president for obstructing Congress and abuse of power .
The process was linked to his phone call with his newly elected Ukrainian counterpart .
Democrats say Trump sought an investigation into the Bidens in exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a White House visit .
Trump has dismissed those allegations .
The Senate trial , where two-thirds of the 100 senators must vote to remove the president , begins Tuesday ; Trump is almost certain to be acquitted .

Read The Impeachment Managers' Response To The Senate Impeachment Trial Summons
Enlarge this image toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images Win McNamee/Getty Images
House impeachment managers released their formal response to the summons sent by the Senate last week, a procedural part of the impeachment process ahead of the trial that begins on Tuesday.
"President Trump's conduct is the Framers' worst nightmare," they said in the brief released Saturday.
Read the brief here.
The response is part of the legal paperwork required in the process initiated Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. President Trump's defense team has until noon on Monday, Jan. 20, to submit their brief on why the president should be acquitted, though sources close to the president's legal team on Saturday evening responded to the summons by excoriating the entire impeachment process.
The House impeachment managers have until noon on Tuesday to respond to the defense team's brief.
The House of Representatives voted last month to impeach the president for obstructing Congress and abuse of power. The process was linked to his phone call with his newly elected Ukrainian counterpart. Democrats say Trump sought an investigation into the Bidens in exchange for a release of frozen military aid and a White House visit. Trump has dismissed those allegations.
The Senate trial, where two-thirds of the 100 senators must vote to remove the president, begins Tuesday; Trump is almost certain to be acquitted.


npr--2020-01-18--Harry And Meghan Are No Longer Working Members Of The Royal Family, Palace Says

Harry And Meghan Are No Longer Working Members Of The Royal Family , Palace Says The Duke and Duchess of Sussex , known more commonly as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , are no longer working members of the British royal family and will stop receiving public funds for royal duties , Buckingham Palace announced Saturday .
The palace also said the couple will stop using their HRH titles — shorthand for His/Her Royal Highness — and they will be `` required to step back from Royal duties , including official military appointments , '' according to the palace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent The Queen , the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty , '' the palace said .
The new arrangement for Harry , who is sixth in line of succession for the British throne , and Meghan will formally take effect this spring and follows the couple 's announcement earlier this month that they intended to `` to step back as 'senior ' members of the Royal Family . ''
`` Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family , '' Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement .
The queen said Harry , Meghan and their 8-month-old son , Archie , `` will always be much loved members of my family '' and expressed her `` hope that today 's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life . ''
Saturday 's announcement provided new details on what the couple 's new life will look like in their reduced capacity as members of the royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , will remain the couple 's family home in the United Kingdom , according to the statement , but the palace said they have expressed a wish to repay taxpayers for the cost of refurbishing the home .
The BBC pegged that amount at £2.4 million , or roughly $ 3.1 million .
The couple has said they plan to split their time between the U.K. and North America and to work to become financially independent from the royal family as they move to `` carve out a progressive new role within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's announcement , little was known about what this new chapter would look like for the two .
On Monday , the queen hosted Harry ; his father , Prince Charles ; and his brother , Prince William , at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk to discuss the `` complex matters '' involved in the couple 's desire to step back from official duties .
Among other changes Harry and Meghan have announced in recent days is that they will no longer participate in the royal rota system , which has provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to official engagements of the Royal family .
The announcement came amid ongoing friction between the couple and members of the media .
In October , Harry released a statement against members of the tabloid press decrying what he called `` a ruthless campaign '' of `` relentless propaganda '' against both his wife and newborn son .
`` I 've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person , '' he wrote at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces . ''
In her own statement on Saturday , the queen said she recognized `` the challenges '' that Harry and Meghan have `` experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life . ''

Harry And Meghan Are No Longer Working Members Of The Royal Family, Palace Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption WPA Pool/Getty Images WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, known more commonly as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are no longer working members of the British royal family and will stop receiving public funds for royal duties, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday.
The palace also said the couple will stop using their HRH titles — shorthand for His/Her Royal Highness — and they will be "required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments," according to the palace.
"While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty," the palace said.
The new arrangement for Harry, who is sixth in line of succession for the British throne, and Meghan will formally take effect this spring and follows the couple's announcement earlier this month that they intended to "to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family."
"Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family," Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement.
The queen said Harry, Meghan and their 8-month-old son, Archie, "will always be much loved members of my family" and expressed her "hope that today's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life."
Saturday's announcement provided new details on what the couple's new life will look like in their reduced capacity as members of the royal family.
Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, England, will remain the couple's family home in the United Kingdom, according to the statement, but the palace said they have expressed a wish to repay taxpayers for the cost of refurbishing the home. The BBC pegged that amount at £2.4 million, or roughly $3.1 million.
The couple has said they plan to split their time between the U.K. and North America and to work to become financially independent from the royal family as they move to "carve out a progressive new role within this institution."
Prior to Saturday's announcement, little was known about what this new chapter would look like for the two. On Monday, the queen hosted Harry; his father, Prince Charles; and his brother, Prince William, at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk to discuss the "complex matters" involved in the couple's desire to step back from official duties.
Among other changes Harry and Meghan have announced in recent days is that they will no longer participate in the royal rota system, which has provided a select pool of U.K. media outlets exclusive access to official engagements of the royal family. The announcement came amid ongoing friction between the couple and members of the media.
In October, Harry released a statement against members of the tabloid press decrying what he called "a ruthless campaign" of "relentless propaganda" against both his wife and newborn son.
"I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person," he wrote at the time. "I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."
In her own statement on Saturday, the queen said she recognized "the challenges" that Harry and Meghan have "experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."


npr--2020-01-18--A Mayor In Norway's Arctic Looks To China To Reinvent His Frontier Town

A Mayor In Norway 's Arctic Looks To China To Reinvent His Frontier Town Looking out across a foggy harbor toward a peninsula jutting off the Norwegian coast , Rune Rafaelsen has a bold plan that could raise the profile of his remote Arctic town — with a little help , he hopes , from China .
He is the mayor of Sor-Varanger , a municipality in the far northeast corner of Norway , close to the Russian border .
His office is in the small town Kirkenes — population a little over 3,500 — which overlooks the icy gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` It 's a very nice view , especially in the summer when you have the midnight sun is not going down in the horizon .
You can see the sun all 24 hours . ''
But he thinks there 's more than that on the horizon .
The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere on the planet .
While the melting sea ice has alarmed scientists and residents , newly accessible waterways mean commercial ships are increasingly plowing along polar lanes .
`` Now you can go from Asia to Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ice is decreasing .
And so Kirkenes is the first western harbor you meet when you start from Shanghai and go along the Russian sub-Siberian coast , '' says Rafaelsen .
To leverage this , Rafaelsen wants to turn his tiny town into a major logistical hub , including a massive port and train line to Finland .
He is courting Chinese investors to help carry out the projects .
That could place NATO ally Norway on the map of China 's `` Polar Silk Road '' plan for ships voyaging across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rail dream ever comes true .
Residents and officials have questioned the commercial and environmental viability of the mayor 's big idea , as well as raising concerns about his overtures to China .
Yet some Norwegian businesses say they 're on board .
Kirkenes ' economy has traditionally relied on fishing and iron-ore mining , and it has become a tourist destination .
Travelers can jump on the Hurtigruten , a popular coastal cruiser that meanders through fjords down to Norway 's southern city of Bergen .
Rafaelsen says a logistical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirkenes ' economy .
He envisions building a massive new container terminal and a 300-mile railway to the city of Rovaniemi in neighboring Finland , which would key to moving cargo into Western Europe .
His aspirations may sound wildly high : `` Our plan is that you should [ have ] 10 trains from Kirkenes every day ... and we should handle about 1 million containers [ per year ] , '' he says .
The municipality has given a green light for a new , bigger harbor , but it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( The price tag is unclear . )
The Norwegian government drew up a concept study for a mega-port for the area .
That idea is on hold amid doubts that there would be enough cargo to warrant the cost .
An Arctic railway , meanwhile , would need buy-in from the Norwegian and Finnish governments .
A binational working group study concluded in late 2018 that the project , estimated to cost more than $ 3 billion , will not be `` financially feasible . ''
There has also been pushback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who herd reindeer across northern Finland .
A rail line could harm their livelihoods and culture , Sami leaders and the working group said .
The lack of interest and financing have done little to dampen Rafaelsen 's enthusiasm .
Born and bred in Kirkenes , the mayor — a member of Norway 's Labor Party — is a die-hard booster of his town , and he has been looking elsewhere for investors .
`` I have promoted it a lot in China , and the Chinese [ have ] been here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` They are interested to see if this is possible . ''
About a year ago , the Chinese government launched an Arctic white paper , considered its first formal articulation of policies for the region .
It emphasized the region 's strategic economic importance — calling China a `` Near-Arctic State '' — and elaborated on a plan to include a `` Polar Silk Road '' in its broad Belt and Road Initiative to build trade links across several continents .
China is `` starting to open to the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Marc Lanteigne , who teaches political science at Norway 's University of Tromso .
`` It really shows that China wants to be taken seriously as an Arctic player . ''
NPR has contacted the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. about its Arctic strategies but it did not immediately provide comment for this special series .
But a Norwegian news website , the Independent Barents Observer , in June 2019 cited an executive at China Ocean Shipping Co. who sounded optimistic about Kirkenes .
`` If there would be a railway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a gateway for those products from Finland and to somewhere far east , '' Chen Feng , COSCO 's general director of marketing and sales , told the website .
Rafaelsen has visited China several times to meet with government officials and business people , hoping to build interest in a Norwegian logistical hub .
His municipality signed a friendship agreement with the city of Harbin , in northern China .
In February 2019 , the Norwegian town 's annual winter festival was themed `` The World 's Northernmost Chinatown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Chinese ambassador to Norway paid a visit .
But Rafaelsen says not everyone in town was happy with the festival 's theme .
`` People get angry .
Now they think Kirkenes should not be Chinese at all .
But it 's engaged people .
That 's the best , '' he says .
Rafaelsen 's infrastructure plan has backing from some businesses in the area .
Kjell Stokvik , managing director for the Center for High North Logistics , a local subsidiary of Norway 's Tschudi Shipping Co. , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment in an isolated area with a dwindling population .
`` The issue here is population , especially in the eastern part of northern Norway , '' Stokvik says .
`` We need jobs — we need the youth to stay , not going away . ''
Experts also see infrastructural needs in the area .
The polar region has few ports , roads and railway links , according to Adam Lajeunesse , a researcher who focuses on Arctic marine security and teaches at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of trouble for generations now funding northern development , '' he says .
`` And so many people [ in the Arctic ] are looking at China as a potential source of cash , of investment capital . ''
But Thomas Nilsen , a journalist who covers Arctic issues for the Independent Barents Observer , says he does n't see Kirkenes ever becoming the new Singapore .
`` Norway is one of the biggest shipping nations in the world and not even our shipping companies are looking to Kirkenes trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells NPR .
Still , Rafaelsen believes it is only a matter of time before investors will want to help him realize his dream of building a hub for the Arctic .

A Mayor In Norway's Arctic Looks To China To Reinvent His Frontier Town
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
Looking out across a foggy harbor toward a peninsula jutting off the Norwegian coast, Rune Rafaelsen has a bold plan that could raise the profile of his remote Arctic town — with a little help, he hopes, from China.
He is the mayor of Sor-Varanger, a municipality in the far northeast corner of Norway, close to the Russian border. His office is in the small town Kirkenes — population a little over 3,500 — which overlooks the icy gray Barents Sea.
Rafaelsen loves the view: "It's a very nice view, especially in the summer when you have the midnight sun is not going down in the horizon. You can see the sun all 24 hours."
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But he thinks there's more than that on the horizon.
The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere on the planet. While the melting sea ice has alarmed scientists and residents, newly accessible waterways mean commercial ships are increasingly plowing along polar lanes.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Wood/NPR Daniel Wood/NPR
"Now you can go from Asia to Europe through the Northern Sea Route. And the ice is decreasing. And so Kirkenes is the first western harbor you meet when you start from Shanghai and go along the Russian sub-Siberian coast," says Rafaelsen.
To leverage this, Rafaelsen wants to turn his tiny town into a major logistical hub, including a massive port and train line to Finland. He is courting Chinese investors to help carry out the projects.
That could place NATO ally Norway on the map of China's "Polar Silk Road" plan for ships voyaging across the Arctic — if Rafaelsen's port and rail dream ever comes true.
Residents and officials have questioned the commercial and environmental viability of the mayor's big idea, as well as raising concerns about his overtures to China. Yet some Norwegian businesses say they're on board.
10 trains each day
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
Kirkenes' economy has traditionally relied on fishing and iron-ore mining, and it has become a tourist destination. Travelers can jump on the Hurtigruten, a popular coastal cruiser that meanders through fjords down to Norway's southern city of Bergen.
Rafaelsen says a logistical hub would provide a huge boost for Kirkenes' economy.
He envisions building a massive new container terminal and a 300-mile railway to the city of Rovaniemi in neighboring Finland, which would key to moving cargo into Western Europe.
His aspirations may sound wildly high: "Our plan is that you should [have] 10 trains from Kirkenes every day ... and we should handle about 1 million containers [per year]," he says.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
The municipality has given a green light for a new, bigger harbor, but it doesn't have the money to build it. (The price tag is unclear.) The Norwegian government drew up a concept study for a mega-port for the area. That idea is on hold amid doubts that there would be enough cargo to warrant the cost.
An Arctic railway, meanwhile, would need buy-in from the Norwegian and Finnish governments. A binational working group study concluded in late 2018 that the project, estimated to cost more than $3 billion, will not be "financially feasible."
There has also been pushback from the Sami, an indigenous people who herd reindeer across northern Finland. A rail line could harm their livelihoods and culture, Sami leaders and the working group said.
Appealing to China
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
The lack of interest and financing have done little to dampen Rafaelsen's enthusiasm. Born and bred in Kirkenes, the mayor — a member of Norway's Labor Party — is a die-hard booster of his town, and he has been looking elsewhere for investors.
"I have promoted it a lot in China, and the Chinese [have] been here to look at the possibility," he says. "They are interested to see if this is possible."
China already sails ships carrying consumer goods through Arctic waters.
About a year ago, the Chinese government launched an Arctic white paper, considered its first formal articulation of policies for the region. It emphasized the region's strategic economic importance — calling China a "Near-Arctic State" — and elaborated on a plan to include a "Polar Silk Road" in its broad Belt and Road Initiative to build trade links across several continents.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
China is "starting to open to the possibility of expanded shipping throughout the Arctic," says Marc Lanteigne, who teaches political science at Norway's University of Tromso. "It really shows that China wants to be taken seriously as an Arctic player."
NPR has contacted the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. about its Arctic strategies but it did not immediately provide comment for this special series.
But a Norwegian news website, the Independent Barents Observer, in June 2019 cited an executive at China Ocean Shipping Co. who sounded optimistic about Kirkenes. "If there would be a railway between Rovaniemi and Kirkenes, then Kirkenes would be a gateway for those products from Finland and to somewhere far east," Chen Feng, COSCO's general director of marketing and sales, told the website.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
Rafaelsen has visited China several times to meet with government officials and business people, hoping to build interest in a Norwegian logistical hub. His municipality signed a friendship agreement with the city of Harbin, in northern China.
In February 2019, the Norwegian town's annual winter festival was themed "The World's Northernmost Chinatown." Kirkenes was festooned with red lanterns and the Chinese ambassador to Norway paid a visit.
But Rafaelsen says not everyone in town was happy with the festival's theme.
"People get angry. Now they think Kirkenes should not be Chinese at all. But it's engaged people. That's the best," he says.
"We need jobs"
Rafaelsen's infrastructure plan has backing from some businesses in the area. Kjell Stokvik, managing director for the Center for High North Logistics, a local subsidiary of Norway's Tschudi Shipping Co., says developing a major hub could help increase employment in an isolated area with a dwindling population.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
"The issue here is population, especially in the eastern part of northern Norway," Stokvik says. "We need jobs — we need the youth to stay, not going away."
Experts also see infrastructural needs in the area. The polar region has few ports, roads and railway links, according to Adam Lajeunesse, a researcher who focuses on Arctic marine security and teaches at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
"Western Arctic countries have had a lot of trouble for generations now funding northern development," he says. "And so many people [in the Arctic] are looking at China as a potential source of cash, of investment capital."
But Thomas Nilsen, a journalist who covers Arctic issues for the Independent Barents Observer, says he doesn't see Kirkenes ever becoming the new Singapore.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR
"Norway is one of the biggest shipping nations in the world and not even our shipping companies are looking to Kirkenes trying to invest in the harbor," he tells NPR.
Still, Rafaelsen believes it is only a matter of time before investors will want to help him realize his dream of building a hub for the Arctic.