csmonitor--2020-09-27--A change at the Monitor this year

A change at the Monitor this year

To many of you reading this column , The Christian Science Monitor is a weekly magazine .
To many other readers ( and for some of you , too ! )
, the Monitor is also an online publication that lands in their email inbox every weekday .
To millions more , it is a news website .
But to the dozens of Monitor staff members around the world , the Monitor is just the Monitor – one organization that works to serve its readers in the varying ways that meet their needs .
In recent years , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea : Everyone , no matter how they choose to engage with the Monitor , should get a common experience , not just in our journalism , but in the feel and look of all our different formats .
By the time you read this , we will have made a change aimed at both unifying the Monitor and putting the Weekly magazine on the best path to thrive in the future .
On Sept. 15 , Noelle Swan took charge as the editor of the Monitor ’ s Weekly content .
Noelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is her love for the Weekly .
“ I first fell in love with the Monitor Weekly as a reader , ” Noelle says .
“ In my seven years at the Monitor , I have been delighted to contribute to the magazine , first as an intern , then as a reporter , and most recently as the editor of the Science and Nature page.
” The Weekly editor of the past three years , Owen Thomas , has stepped down and will be focusing on The Home Forum , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the features instituted by our founder , Mary Baker Eddy , The Home Forum occupies a unique place as an oasis of humanity , wit , and gentle insight .
Owen embodies all these qualities and will continue to look for ways to amplify them .
“ Editing The Home Forum , for me , is like being the host at a lively dinner party , ” Owen says , “ where the guests are all good friends – fascinating , loving , funny , erudite , thought-provoking , and delightful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell .
My job is to invite them to speak.
” The Monitor owes Owen a debt of gratitude for his leadership on the magazine .
He served as deputy editor from the Weekly ’ s inception in 2009 until he became editor in 2017 .
His tenure has been marked by a love for the publication and a desire to see it flourish , from careful tending of headlines to helping shepherd its redesign last year .
Readers of the Daily will recognize Noelle as ( until now ) the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributor to the introductions that lead off the Daily edition .
Her experience working for both the Daily and Weekly will help fuel collaborations that knit the Daily and Weekly together as one seamless and complementary experience .
Our recent women ’ s suffrage issue , which had unique elements in both the Daily and Weekly but also strong collaboration between them , is an example of how a tighter relationship can strengthen both products .
Noelle brings a deep love of the Monitor mission and how it can bless all humanity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever it seems , ” she says , “ the world needs the uplifting spirit and hope that the Monitor provides .
”

To many of you reading this column, The Christian Science Monitor is a weekly magazine. To many other readers (and for some of you, too!), the Monitor is also an online publication that lands in their email inbox every weekday. To millions more, it is a news website.
But to the dozens of Monitor staff members around the world, the Monitor is just the Monitor – one organization that works to serve its readers in the varying ways that meet their needs. In recent years, we’ve tried to lean in on this idea: Everyone, no matter how they choose to engage with the Monitor, should get a common experience, not just in our journalism, but in the feel and look of all our different formats.
By the time you read this, we will have made a change aimed at both unifying the Monitor and putting the Weekly magazine on the best path to thrive in the future. On Sept. 15, Noelle Swan took charge as the editor of the Monitor’s Weekly content. Noelle’s first and most important qualification is her love for the Weekly.
“I first fell in love with the Monitor Weekly as a reader,” Noelle says. “In my seven years at the Monitor, I have been delighted to contribute to the magazine, first as an intern, then as a reporter, and most recently as the editor of the Science and Nature page.”
The Weekly editor of the past three years, Owen Thomas, has stepped down and will be focusing on The Home Forum, which he has long managed with aplomb. As one of the features instituted by our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, The Home Forum occupies a unique place as an oasis of humanity, wit, and gentle insight. Owen embodies all these qualities and will continue to look for ways to amplify them.
“Editing The Home Forum, for me, is like being the host at a lively dinner party,” Owen says, “where the guests are all good friends – fascinating, loving, funny, erudite, thought-provoking, and delightful friends – each with an engaging story to tell. My job is to invite them to speak.”
The Monitor owes Owen a debt of gratitude for his leadership on the magazine. He served as deputy editor from the Weekly’s inception in 2009 until he became editor in 2017. His tenure has been marked by a love for the publication and a desire to see it flourish, from careful tending of headlines to helping shepherd its redesign last year.
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Readers of the Daily will recognize Noelle as (until now) the Daily’s deputy editor and a frequent contributor to the introductions that lead off the Daily edition. Her experience working for both the Daily and Weekly will help fuel collaborations that knit the Daily and Weekly together as one seamless and complementary experience. Our recent women’s suffrage issue, which had unique elements in both the Daily and Weekly but also strong collaboration between them, is an example of how a tighter relationship can strengthen both products.
Noelle brings a deep love of the Monitor mission and how it can bless all humanity, especially today. “Now more than ever it seems,” she says, “the world needs the uplifting spirit and hope that the Monitor provides.”


csmonitor--2020-09-27--Why Swiss voters rejected plan to limit jobs for EU citizens

Voters in Switzerland on Sunday strongly defeated a nationalist party 's proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country .
Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported that the measure was rejected by 61.7 % of voters , with 38.3 % in favor .
All but four of the country 's 26 cantons , or states , likewise opposed the plan —- proposed by the Swiss People 's Party ( SVP ) — to give preferential access to jobs , social protection and benefits to people from Switzerland over those from the 27-nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure was being considered alongside nationwide votes on several other issues .
SRF reported that a majority of voters backed plans for paid paternity leave and for the purchase of up to 6 billion francs ( about $ 6.5 billion ) worth of new fighter planes by 2030 .
Voters rejected measures on the right to hunt wolves to keep their population down and on increasing tax breaks for child care .
The New York Times reported that under the new `` paternity law , which is expected to apply beginning Jan. 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the 10 days of leave within six months of the birth of a child .
They will be entitled to receive 80 percent of their salary at a daily cap of 196 Swiss francs , or about $ 210 , though companies can choose to extend the duration of the leave or increase the percentage of salary paid out . ''
The government had warned that the plan to limit EU citizens could further strain the rich Alpine ’ s country ’ s deep and lucrative ties to the EU .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Swiss citizens if they want to live or work in the EU .
“ Especially at this time , during the difficult economic situation caused by the corona crisis , good relations with our neighbors and with the EU are important , '' Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said , welcoming the outcome of the vote .
She said Switzerland would continue to pursue a “ bilateral path ” with the EU , eschewing membership of the bloc while seeking close economic ties with it .
In a nod to the misgivings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big neighbor , Keller-Sutter acknowledged that “ freedom of movement doesn ’ t just have benefits . ''
“ The Federal Council only wants as much immigration as necessary , ” she said .
`` That continues to be our goal.
” Roughly 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.6 million , while around 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries .
Some are dual citizens and would n't have been affected by any restrictions .
In a similar referendum in 2014 , the Swiss narrowly voted in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work in Switzerland .
Lawmakers , however , refused to fully implement that referendum fearing a hefty impact on Swiss society and businesses , prompting the People ’ s Party to get the issue back on the ballot again this year .
Since the last vote , Switzerland has witnessed the turmoil that Britain 's 2016 referendum to leave the European Union has caused , especially for EU citizens in the U.K. and Britons living on the continent .
Britain left the EU in January , but is in a transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects for a deal on future relations between London and Brussels still uncertain .
Voter Yann Grote in Geneva said he did n't approve of further limiting freedom of movement .
`` I ’ m not at all in favor , and even more now , because it ’ s not a time to isolate Switzerland , ” he said .
“ I ’ m a daughter of immigrants , so it is a matter that touches me , ” she said .
“ If Switzerland had to withdraw or reduce these agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we would be the real losers.
” In Brussels , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result of the referendum , calling it “ a positive signal to continue to consolidate and deepen our relationship.
” She also urged Switzerland to approve a series of agreements negotiated between the country and the EU in 2018 , but not yet ratified .
Sunday 's turnout was higher than in most recent referendums , almost 60 % of voters going to the polls or casting their ballots by mail .
Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brussels contributed to this report .

Voters in Switzerland on Sunday strongly defeated a nationalist party’s proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country.
Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported that the measure was rejected by 61.7% of voters, with 38.3% in favor. All but four of the country’s 26 cantons, or states, likewise opposed the plan – proposed by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) – to give preferential access to jobs, social protection and benefits to people from Switzerland over those from the 27-nation bloc that surrounds it.
The freedom-of-movement measure was being considered alongside nationwide votes on several other issues.
SRF reported that a majority of voters backed plans for paid paternity leave and for the purchase of up to 6 billion francs (about $6.5 billion) worth of new fighter planes by 2030. Voters rejected measures on the right to hunt wolves to keep their population down and on increasing tax breaks for child care.
The New York Times reported that under the new “paternity law, which is expected to apply beginning Jan. 1, biological fathers will be able to take the 10 days of leave within six months of the birth of a child. They will be entitled to receive 80 percent of their salary at a daily cap of 196 Swiss francs, or about $210, though companies can choose to extend the duration of the leave or increase the percentage of salary paid out.”
The government had warned that the plan to limit EU citizens could further strain the rich Alpine’s country’s deep and lucrative ties to the EU. It could also have triggered reciprocal disadvantages for millions of Swiss citizens if they want to live or work in the EU.
“Especially at this time, during the difficult economic situation caused by the corona crisis, good relations with our neighbors and with the EU are important,” Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said, welcoming the outcome of the vote.
She said Switzerland would continue to pursue a “bilateral path” with the EU, eschewing membership of the bloc while seeking close economic ties with it.
In a nod to the misgivings many Swiss have about the country’s big neighbor, Keller-Sutter acknowledged that “freedom of movement doesn’t just have benefits.”
“The Federal Council only wants as much immigration as necessary,” she said. “That continues to be our goal.”
Roughly 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.6 million, while around 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries. Some are dual citizens and wouldn’t have been affected by any restrictions.
In a similar referendum in 2014, the Swiss narrowly voted in favor of limiting EU citizens’ freedom to live and work in Switzerland. Lawmakers, however, refused to fully implement that referendum fearing a hefty impact on Swiss society and businesses, prompting the People’s Party to get the issue back on the ballot again this year.
Since the last vote, Switzerland has witnessed the turmoil that Britain’s 2016 referendum to leave the European Union has caused, especially for EU citizens in the U.K. and Britons living on the continent. Britain left the EU in January, but is in a transition period until the end of the year with prospects for a deal on future relations between London and Brussels still uncertain.
Voter Yann Grote in Geneva said he didn’t approve of further limiting freedom of movement.
“I’m not at all in favor, and even more now, because it’s not a time to isolate Switzerland,” he said.
Fellow voter Elisabeth Lopes agreed.
“I’m a daughter of immigrants, so it is a matter that touches me,” she said. “If Switzerland had to withdraw or reduce these agreements [with the EU], I think we would be the real losers.”
In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result of the referendum, calling it “a positive signal to continue to consolidate and deepen our relationship.”
She also urged Switzerland to approve a series of agreements negotiated between the country and the EU in 2018, but not yet ratified.
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Sunday’s turnout was higher than in most recent referendums, almost 60% of voters going to the polls or casting their ballots by mail.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Frank Jordans reported from Berlin. Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-09-27--Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupts, again

At least 16 military and several civilians were killed on Sunday in the heaviest clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan since 2016 , reigniting concern about stability in the South Caucasus , a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets .
The clashes between the two former Soviet republics , which fought a war in the 1990s , were the latest flare-up of a long-running conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a breakaway region that is inside Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians .
Nagorno-Karabakh said 16 of its servicemen had been killed and more than 100 wounded after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early on Sunday .
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh declared martial law and mobilized the male population .
Azerbaijan , which also declared martial law , said its forces responded to Armenian shelling and that five members of one family had been killed by Armenian shelling .
It also said its forces had seized control of up to seven villages .
Nagorno-Karabakh initially denied this but later acknowledged losing `` some positions '' and said it had suffered a number of civilian casualties , without giving details .
The clashes prompted a flurry of diplomacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades-old conflict between majority Christian Armenia and mainly Muslim Azerbaijan , with Russia calling for an immediate ceasefire and another regional power , Turkey , saying it would support Azerbaijan .
The U.S. State Department condemned the violence in a statement , calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and any rhetoric or other actions that could worsen matters .
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president Joe Biden said in a statement that hostilities could escalate into a wider conflict and urged the Trump administration to push for more observers along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop cynically providing arms to both sides . ''
Pipelines shipping Caspian oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan to the world pass close to Nagorno-Karabakh .
Armenia also warned about security risks in the South Caucasus in July after Azerbaijan threatened to attack Armenia 's nuclear power plant as possible retaliation .
Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 .
Though a ceasefire was agreed in 1994 , after thousands of people were killed and many more displaced , Azerbaijan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian frontier .
In Sunday 's clashes , Armenian right activists said an ethnic Armenian woman and child had also been killed .
Armenia said Azeri forces had attacked civilian targets including Nagorno-Karabakh 's capital , Stepanakert , and promised a `` proportionate response . ''
`` We stay strong next to our army to protect our motherland from Azeri invasion , '' Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Twitter .
Azerbaijan denied an Armenian defense ministry statement that said Azeri helicopters and tanks had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launching `` deliberate and targeted '' attacks along the front line .
`` We defend our territory , our cause is right ! ''
Azerbaijan 's president , Ilham Aliyev , said in an address to the nation .
Turkey said it was talking to members of the Minsk group , which mediates between Armenia and Azerbaijan .
Russia , France and the United States are co-presidents .
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to Pashinyan but no details of the conversation were available , and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional ally Azerbaijan , said Armenia was `` the biggest threat to peace in the region '' and called on `` the entire world to stand with Azerbaijan in their battle against invasion and cruelty . ''
Pashinyan hit back , urged the international community to ensure Turkey does not get involved in the conflict .
The European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) urged both sides to stop military actions and return to negotiations , as did Pope Francis .
At least 200 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Armenia and Azerbaijan in April 2016 .
At least 16 people were killed in clashes in July .

At least 16 military and several civilians were killed on Sunday in the heaviest clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan since 2016, reigniting concern about stability in the South Caucasus, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets.
The clashes between the two former Soviet republics, which fought a war in the 1990s, were the latest flare-up of a long-running conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region that is inside Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians.
Nagorno-Karabakh said 16 of its servicemen had been killed and more than 100 wounded after Azerbaijan launched an air and artillery attack early on Sunday. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh declared martial law and mobilized the male population.
Azerbaijan, which also declared martial law, said its forces responded to Armenian shelling and that five members of one family had been killed by Armenian shelling.
It also said its forces had seized control of up to seven villages. Nagorno-Karabakh initially denied this but later acknowledged losing “some positions” and said it had suffered a number of civilian casualties, without giving details.
The clashes prompted a flurry of diplomacy to reduce the new tensions in a decades-old conflict between majority Christian Armenia and mainly Muslim Azerbaijan, with Russia calling for an immediate ceasefire and another regional power, Turkey, saying it would support Azerbaijan.
The United States Department of State condemned the violence in a statement, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and any rhetoric or other actions that could worsen matters.
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president Joe Biden said in a statement that hostilities could escalate into a wider conflict and urged the Trump administration to push for more observers along the ceasefire line and for Russia “to stop cynically providing arms to both sides.”
Pipelines shipping Caspian oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan to the world pass close to Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia also warned about security risks in the South Caucasus in July after Azerbaijan threatened to attack Armenia’s nuclear power plant as possible retaliation.
Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Though a ceasefire was agreed in 1994, after thousands of people were killed and many more displaced, Azerbaijan and Armenia frequently accuse each other of attacks around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian frontier.
In Sunday’s clashes, Armenian right activists said an ethnic Armenian woman and child had also been killed.
International responses call for diplomacy
Armenia said Azeri forces had attacked civilian targets including Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital, Stepanakert, and promised a “proportionate response.”
“We stay strong next to our army to protect our motherland from Azeri invasion,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Twitter.
Azerbaijan denied an Armenian defense ministry statement that said Azeri helicopters and tanks had been destroyed, and accused Armenian forces of launching “deliberate and targeted” attacks along the front line.
“We defend our territory, our cause is right!” Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, said in an address to the nation.
Turkey said it was talking to members of the Minsk group, which mediates between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia, France, and the United States are co-presidents.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to Mr. Pashinyan but no details of the conversation were available, and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Mr. Aliyev.
Mr. Erdogan, promising support for traditional ally Azerbaijan, said Armenia was “the biggest threat to peace in the region” and called on “the entire world to stand with Azerbaijan in their battle against invasion and cruelty.”
Mr. Pashinyan hit back, urged the international community to ensure Turkey does not get involved in the conflict.
The European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) urged both sides to stop military actions and return to negotiations, as did Pope Francis.
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At least 200 people were killed in a flare-up of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in April 2016. At least 16 people were killed in clashes in July.
This story was reported by Reuters. Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara.


csmonitor--2020-09-28--Monday Sunrise Briefing: How Judge Barrett shapes US election

The Republican and Democratic election strategies for the next five weeks came into focus this weekend .
Both parties hope to galvanize voters by pointing to Judge Amy Coney Barrett , nominated Saturday to fill the Supreme Court seat of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The first Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12 .
A final Senate vote could come in late October .
But Democrats aren ’ t likely to make this a battle over the short confirmation process or Judge Barrett ’ s Catholic faith .
Instead , they ’ re starting to warn about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Sunday , Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pointed to a court that could “ undo ” the Affordable Care Act .
Expect to see similar warnings about overturning abortion rights and gay rights .
Republicans will likely remind voters that they ’ ve delivered on promises of a conservative court .
The GOP also has plans to highlight what that court could mean for issues important to social conservative Catholic and evangelical voters - particularly in swing states such as Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , and Florida .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump paid just $ 750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and in his first year in the White House .
Will that matter to voters ?
In 2016 , when Hillary Clinton speculated that Trump paid no taxes , he replied : `` That makes me smart.
” 2 .
Paternity leave , at last .
Swiss voters passed a referendum Sunday giving fathers 10 days of paternity leave , the last nation in Western Europe to endorse this benefit .
While a wealthy nation , Switzerland has been relatively slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission from husbands to work outside the home until 1988 .
Swiss voters also defeated a nationalist party 's proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country .
While Switzerland is not an EU member , it has close economic ties with the bloc .
3 .
Tensions rise in pipeline region .
A decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan reignited Sunday , prompting international calls for a cease-fire .
At least 31 people were reported killed in the heaviest clashes between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues , it could push up oil and gas prices as the South Caucasus is a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and natural gas from the Caspian Sea to world markets .
The two countries fought a war in the 1990s , and the latest flare-up prompted a flurry of diplomacy to reduce the new tensions in the conflict between majority Christian Armenia and mainly Muslim Azerbaijan .
Russia , the U.S. , and the E.U .
called for an immediate ceasefire .
But another regional power , Turkey , said it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nominees are scheduled to announced for the 2020 Sakharov Prize .
The prize honors individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought .
Vote by mail ?
A Delaware judge is expected to rule on a lawsuit by the state Republican Party challenging a law passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature allowing universal voting by mail in this year 's elections .
Stanley Cup finals .
The plucky Dallas Stars are still in the Stanley Cup Finals after forcing a Game 6 against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-2 .
Presidential debate .
President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden meet for the first 2020 presidential debate .
The six planned 15-minute segments are about the Supreme Court , the pandemic , racial justice and urban crime , the economy , election integrity , and the records of the two candidates .
Fox News host Chris Wallace moderates , 9 p.m. E.T .
to 10:30 p.m .
Restaurants reopen , New York City allows restaurants to resume indoor seating , at 25 percent capacity .
Another opening .
South Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of October 1 .
But visitors will not be permitted from countries deemed a high risk .
German unity celebrated .
The 30th anniversary of German reunification - bringing East and West Germany together - marks the end of an era of division and the creation of a stable state in the center of Europe .
Late night comedy returns .
The cast of `` Saturday Night Live '' returns to Studio 8H in New York City for the first time since the coronavirus lockdowns in March .
Chris Rock is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity , every step of the way .
In the closing moments of the Santander Triathlon in Barcelona on Sept. 13 , British competitor James Teagle took a wrong turn .
Running behind him , Mr. Méntrida passed Mr. Teagle and was now in third place in the race .
But as he realized what Mr. Teagle had done , he stopped to let him catch up and cross the finish line first .
Mr. Teagle finished third in the race , and in gratitude , shook hands with his Spanish competitor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions spread on social media this past week , drawing widespread praise .
He responded matter-of-factly on Instagram : '' This is something my parents and my club @ triatlonecosport taught me since I was a child .
In my view it should be a normal thing to do , '' he wrote on Saturday .
“ A true champion !
” responded one follower .
`` I suppose it just shows massive integrity and great sportsmanship ... '' Mr. Teagle later told the BBC Breakfast .
Mr. Méntrida was later awarded honorary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same €300 ( $ 349 ) in prize money as Mr. Teagle , according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo .
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers : Black women learn homeownership – from tool belt to closing the deal In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our story about why a new textbook with Iran 's leading female mathematician on the cover is being circulated by parents .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories of tomorrow ?
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The Republican and Democratic election strategies for the next five weeks came into focus this weekend. Both parties hope to galvanize voters by pointing to Judge Amy Coney Barrett, nominated Saturday to fill the Supreme Court seat of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The first Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12. A final Senate vote could come in late October. But Democrats aren’t likely to make this a battle over the short confirmation process or Judge Barrett’s Catholic faith. Instead, they’re starting to warn about potential outcomes of a supermajority conservative court. On Sunday, Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pointed to a court that could “undo” the Affordable Care Act. Expect to see similar warnings about overturning abortion rights and gay rights.
Republicans will likely remind voters that they’ve delivered on promises of a conservative court. The GOP also has plans to highlight what that court could mean for issues important to social conservative Catholic and evangelical voters - particularly in swing states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, September 28, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are three news events from this past weekend (while you may have been pie making, canoeing, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
On Sunday, The New York Times reported that President Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and in his first year in the White House. Will that matter to voters? In 2016, when Hillary Clinton speculated that Trump paid no taxes, he replied: "That makes me smart.”
2. Paternity leave, at last. Swiss voters passed a referendum Sunday giving fathers 10 days of paternity leave, the last nation in Western Europe to endorse this benefit. While a wealthy nation, Switzerland has been relatively slow on gender equality issues: wives needed permission from husbands to work outside the home until 1988. Swiss voters also defeated a nationalist party's proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country. While Switzerland is not an EU member, it has close economic ties with the bloc.
3. Tensions rise in pipeline region. A decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan reignited Sunday, prompting international calls for a cease-fire. At least 31 people were reported killed in the heaviest clashes between the two ex-Soviet republics since 2016. If fighting continues, it could push up oil and gas prices as the South Caucasus is a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and natural gas from the Caspian Sea to world markets. The two countries fought a war in the 1990s, and the latest flare-up prompted a flurry of diplomacy to reduce the new tensions in the conflict between majority Christian Armenia and mainly Muslim Azerbaijan. Russia, the U.S., and the E.U. called for an immediate ceasefire. But another regional power, Turkey, said it would support Azerbaijan.
Brodie Weeding/Pool Photo via AP View caption Hide caption Rescue crews work to save pilot whales stranded on a sand bar near Strahan, Tasmania in Australia, on Sept. 22, 2020. About 23 percent of some 470 whales were rescued in what was Australia's biggest whale beaching.
Look Ahead
Monday, Sept. 28
Human rights prize. Nominees are scheduled to announced for the 2020 Sakharov Prize. The prize honors individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought.
Vote by mail? A Delaware judge is expected to rule on a lawsuit by the state Republican Party challenging a law passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature allowing universal voting by mail in this year's elections.
Stanley Cup finals. The plucky Dallas Stars are still in the Stanley Cup Finals after forcing a Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are up 3-2.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Presidential debate. President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden meet for the first 2020 presidential debate. The six planned 15-minute segments are about the Supreme Court, the pandemic, racial justice and urban crime, the economy, election integrity, and the records of the two candidates. Fox News host Chris Wallace moderates, 9 p.m. E.T. to 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Restaurants reopen, New York City allows restaurants to resume indoor seating, at 25 percent capacity.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Another opening. South Africa’s borders are expected to reopen as of October 1. But visitors will not be permitted from countries deemed a high risk.
Saturday, Oct. 3.
German unity celebrated. The 30th anniversary of German reunification - bringing East and West Germany together - marks the end of an era of division and the creation of a stable state in the center of Europe.
Late night comedy returns. The cast of "Saturday Night Live" returns to Studio 8H in New York City for the first time since the coronavirus lockdowns in March. Chris Rock is scheduled to host.
Integrity Watch
Courtesy of James Teagle, Instagram. View caption Hide caption British triathlete James Teagle shakes hands with Diego Méntrida after placing third in the Santander Triathlon in Barcelona on Sept. 13.
Diego Méntrida runs with integrity, every step of the way.
In the closing moments of the Santander Triathlon in Barcelona on Sept. 13, British competitor James Teagle took a wrong turn. Running behind him, Mr. Méntrida passed Mr. Teagle and was now in third place in the race. But as he realized what Mr. Teagle had done, he stopped to let him catch up and cross the finish line first. Mr. Teagle finished third in the race, and in gratitude, shook hands with his Spanish competitor.
Word of Mr. Méntrida’s honorable actions spread on social media this past week, drawing widespread praise. He responded matter-of-factly on Instagram:
"This is something my parents and my club @triatlonecosport taught me since I was a child. In my view it should be a normal thing to do," he wrote on Saturday.
“A true champion!” responded one follower. "I suppose it just shows massive integrity and great sportsmanship..." Mr. Teagle later told the BBC Breakfast.
The race organizers agreed.
Mr. Méntrida was later awarded honorary third place by the organizers and the same €300 ($349) in prize money as Mr. Teagle, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
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Black women learn homeownership – from tool belt to closing the deal
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csmonitor--2020-09-28--New York Times: Trump paid just $750 in taxes in 2016 and 2017

President Donald Trump paid just $ 750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for president and in his first year in the White House , according to a report in The New York Times .
Trump , who has fiercely guarded his tax filings and is the only president in modern times not to make them public , paid no federal income taxes in 10 of the past 15 years .
The details of the tax filings published Sunday complicate Trump ’ s description of himself as a shrewd and patriotic businessman , revealing instead a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come into conflict with his responsibilities as president .
The president ’ s financial disclosures indicated he earned at least $ 434.9 million in 2018 , but the tax filings reported a $ 47.4 million loss .
The tax filings also illustrate how a reputed billionaire could pay little to nothing in taxes , while someone in the middle class could pay substantially more than him .
Roughly half of Americans pay no income taxes , primarily because of how low their incomes are .
But IRS figures indicate that the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , about 16 times more than what the president paid .
The disclosure , which the Times said comes from tax return data it obtained extending over two decades , comes at a pivotal moment ahead of the first presidential debate Tuesday and weeks before a divisive election against Democrat Joe Biden .
And with early voting already happening in some states and Election Day just over a month away , Trump may be running out of time to turn his campaign around .
“ Donald Trump needs this election to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said longtime GOP consultant Alex Conant .
“ This keeps the focus squarely on Trump ’ s character and the chaos going into the most important night of the campaign , the debate.
” Speaking at a news conference Sunday at the White House , Trump dismissed the report as “ fake news ” and maintained he has paid taxes , though he gave no specifics .
He also vowed that information about his taxes “ will all be revealed , ” but he offered no timeline for the disclosure and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he never followed through .
In fact , the president has fielded court challenges against those seeking access to his returns , including the U.S. House , which is suing to get Trump 's tax returns as part of congressional oversight .
During his first two years as president , Trump received $ 73 million from foreign operations , which in addition to his golf properties in Scotland and Ireland included $ 3 million from the Philippines , $ 2.3 million from India and $ 1 million from Turkey , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 145,400 in taxes in India and $ 156,824 in the Philippines , compared to just $ 750 in U.S. income taxes .
The Times said the tax records did not reveal any unreported connections to Russia .
Trump found multiple ways to reduce his tax bills .
He has taken tax deductions on personal expenses such as housing , aircraft and $ 70,000 to style his hair while he filmed “ The Apprentice.
” Losses in the property businesses solely owned and managed by Trump appear to have offset income from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other entities with multiple owners .
During the first two years of his presidency , Trump relied on business tax credits to reduce his tax obligations .
The Times said $ 9.7 million worth of business investment credits that were submitted after Trump requested an extension to file his taxes allowed him to offset his obligations and pay just $ 750 each in 2016 and 2017 .
Income tax payments help finance the military and domestic programs .
Trump , starting in 2010 , claimed and received an income tax refund that totaled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said was at the core of an ongoing audit by the IRS .
The Times said a ruling against Trump could cost him $ 100 million or more .
The president could also face mounting financial pressure in the years ahead .
The tax records show he ’ s carrying a total of $ 421 million in loans and debt that are primarily due within four years .
Most of that debt comes from the Doral golf resort in Florida ( $ 125 million ) and Trump ’ s Washington hotel ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times said are struggling financially .
Richard Neal , D-Mass.
, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee who has tried unsuccessfully to obtain Trump ’ s tax records , said the Times report makes it even more essential for his committee to get the documents .
“ It appears that the President has gamed the tax code to his advantage and used legal fights to delay or avoid paying what he owes , ” Neal wrote in a statement .
“ Now , Donald Trump is the boss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is essential that the IRS ’ s presidential audit program remain free of interference.
” A lawyer for the Trump Organization , Alan Garten , and a spokesperson for the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press on the report .
Garten told the Times that “ most , if not all , of the facts appear to be inaccurate.
” He said in a statement to the news organization that the president `` has paid tens of millions of dollars in personal taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions in personal taxes since announcing his candidacy in 2015.
” The New York Times said it declined to provide Garten with the tax filings in order to protect its sources , but it said its sources had legal access to the records .
During his first general election debate against Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 , Clinton said that perhaps Trump was n't releasing his tax returns because he had paid nothing in federal taxes .
Trump interrupted her to say , `` That makes me smart.
” Jill Colvin contributed to @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for president and in his first year in the White House, according to a report in The New York Times.
Mr. Trump, who has fiercely guarded his tax filings and is the only president in modern times not to make them public, paid no federal income taxes in 10 of the past 15 years.
The details of the tax filings published Sunday complicate Mr. Trump’s description of himself as a shrewd and patriotic businessman, revealing instead a series of financial losses and income from abroad that could come into conflict with his responsibilities as president. The president’s financial disclosures indicated he earned at least $434.9 million in 2018, but the tax filings reported a $47.4 million loss.
The tax filings also illustrate how a reputed billionaire could pay little to nothing in taxes, while someone in the middle class could pay substantially more than him. Roughly half of Americans pay no income taxes, primarily because of how low their incomes are. But IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the president paid.
The disclosure, which the Times said comes from tax return data it obtained extending over two decades, comes at a pivotal moment ahead of the first presidential debate Tuesday and weeks before a divisive election against Democrat Joe Biden. And with early voting already happening in some states and Election Day just over a month away, Mr. Trump may be running out of time to turn his campaign around.
“Donald Trump needs this election to be about Joe Biden as a choice,” said longtime GOP consultant Alex Conant. “This keeps the focus squarely on Trump’s character and the chaos going into the most important night of the campaign, the debate.”
Speaking at a news conference Sunday at the White House, Mr. Trump dismissed the report as “fake news” and maintained he has paid taxes, though he gave no specifics. He also vowed that information about his taxes “will all be revealed,” but he offered no timeline for the disclosure and made similar promises during the 2016 campaign on which he never followed through.
In fact, the president has fielded court challenges against those seeking access to his returns, including the U.S. House, which is suing to get Mr. Trump's tax returns as part of congressional oversight.
During his first two years as president, Mr. Trump received $73 million from foreign operations, which in addition to his golf properties in Scotland and Ireland included $3 million from the Philippines, $2.3 million from India, and $1 million from Turkey, among other nations. The president in 2017 paid $145,400 in taxes in India and $156,824 in the Philippines, compared to just $750 in U.S. income taxes. The Times said the tax records did not reveal any unreported connections to Russia.
Mr. Trump found multiple ways to reduce his tax bills. He has taken tax deductions on personal expenses such as housing, aircraft, and $70,000 to style his hair while he filmed “The Apprentice.” Losses in the property businesses solely owned and managed by Mr. Trump appear to have offset income from his stake in “The Apprentice” and other entities with multiple owners.
During the first two years of his presidency, Mr. Trump relied on business tax credits to reduce his tax obligations. The Times said $9.7 million worth of business investment credits that were submitted after Mr. Trump requested an extension to file his taxes allowed him to offset his obligations and pay just $750 each in 2016 and 2017.
Income tax payments help finance the military and domestic programs.
Mr. Trump, starting in 2010, claimed and received an income tax refund that totaled $72.9 million, which the Times said was at the core of an ongoing audit by the IRS. The Times said a ruling against Mr. Trump could cost him $100 million or more.
The president could also face mounting financial pressure in the years ahead. The tax records show he’s carrying a total of $421 million in loans and debt that are primarily due within four years. Most of that debt comes from the Doral golf resort in Florida ($125 million) and Mr. Trump’s Washington hotel ($160 million), two properties that the Times said are struggling financially.
Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee who has tried unsuccessfully to obtain Mr. Trump’s tax records, said the Times report makes it even more essential for his committee to get the documents.
“It appears that the President has gamed the tax code to his advantage and used legal fights to delay or avoid paying what he owes,” Mr. Neal wrote in a statement. “Now, Donald Trump is the boss of the agency he considers an adversary. It is essential that the IRS’s presidential audit program remain free of interference.”
A lawyer for the Trump Organization, Alan Garten, and a spokesperson for the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press on the report.
Mr. Garten told the Times that “most, if not all, of the facts appear to be inaccurate.”
He said in a statement to the news organization that the president "has paid tens of millions of dollars in personal taxes to the federal government, including paying millions in personal taxes since announcing his candidacy in 2015.”
The New York Times said it declined to provide Mr. Garten with the tax filings in order to protect its sources, but it said its sources had legal access to the records.
During his first general election debate against Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, Ms. Clinton said that perhaps Mr. Trump wasn't releasing his tax returns because he had paid nothing in federal taxes.
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Mr. Trump interrupted her to say, "That makes me smart.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-09-27--Why Biden wants to focus on health care, not Justice Barrett

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wants voters to see Republicans ’ push for a speedy Supreme Court confirmation as an end-run of Congress and the 2010 health care law .
In remarks on Sunday , the former vice president sidestepped any talk of expanding the court ( from 9 to 15 justices ) to counter conservative gains should he defeat President Donald Trump in November and Democrats regain a Senate majority .
Biden called that scenario a distraction from the practical effects that Trump ’ s nominee , conservative federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett , could have if she succeeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They see an opportunity to overturn the Affordable Care Act on their way out the door , ” Biden said , speaking near his Delaware home .
“ The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court right now , as I speak , to eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act.
” Biden repeated his calls that the Senate delay confirmation proceedings until after the Nov. 3 election , moving ahead then if Trump wins another term or awaiting a nomination from Biden if the Democrat prevails .
The focus on health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days .
They tacitly concede Republicans are likely to confirm Barrett , giving conservatives a 6-3 court majority .
So , rather than fight a losing battle , as they did with Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s 2018 confirmation , Democrats want to raise the pressure on Republicans by focusing on how a conservative supermajority of justices might affect Americans ’ everyday lives .
Justices are scheduled on Nov. 10 , a week after Election Day , to hear another challenge of the 2010 health care law .
Biden noted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a signature achievement of President Barack Obama ’ s and Biden 's White House tenure .
But those were divided rulings , with Ginsburg in the narrowest of majorities .
“ President Trump could claim all he wants that he is going to protect people with pre-existing conditions .
But the fact is he ’ s already fighting to take those protections away , ” Biden said , later reading from the administration ’ s brief before the court .
He listed several common conditions , including heart damage and other effects from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could keep millions of Americans from qualifying for coverage if the law is gutted completely .
On Barrett , Trump on Sunday told reporters that it 's going to be hard for Democrats “ to dispute her qualifications or anything about her.
” Like Biden , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to criticize Barrett directly earlier Sunday on CNN 's “ State of the Union.
” Later in the day , Biden ’ s only direct critique of Trump 's nominee referred back to her writings as a University of Notre Dame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal bench in 2017 .
“ Prior to going on the bench , she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts ’ opinion upholding the law , ” Biden noted .
Barrett questioned John Roberts ’ reasoning that Congress ’ constitutional power to tax gave it authority to pass most of the law 's provisions , especially the IRS penalty on individuals who didn ’ t buy health insurance .
Conservatives insist the legislation was not reasonably a taxation bill .
Congress has since , while under Republican control , scrapped the tax penalty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upheld much of the statute .
Some progressives want Biden to threaten Republicans with scrapping the Senate filibuster altogether and expanding the Supreme Court with a slate of liberal appointees .
Republicans have tried to use the issue in competitive Senate races and against Biden .
He declined Sunday to take the bait on court expansion .
“ What I ’ m not going to do is play the Trump game , which is a good game he plays to take your eye off the issue before us , ” Biden said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people understand that they are being cut out of this process … in order to take away the ACA and your healthcare in the midst of a pandemic.
” No justice has ever been confirmed to the Supreme Court so close to a presidential election with early voting already underway in some states .
Republicans believe the fight ahead will boost voter enthusiasm for Trump and Senate Republicans at serious risk of losing their majority .
Democrats warn Barrett 's confirmation would almost certainly undo Americans ' healthcare protections as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Affordable Care Act in fall .
According to a national poll by The New York Times and Siena College that was released Sunday , a clear majority -- or 56 % -- of voters believes the winner of the Nov. 3 presidential election should fill Ginsburg ’ s seat , vs. 41 % who said Trump should as the current president .
Biden has said he would nominate the first Black woman to the court , but has not released the names of his potential choices .
The poll , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sampling error of 3.5 percentage points .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to say Sunday whether Barrett , a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit , is qualified to serve .
But she argued that Trump was moving quickly to fill the vacancy before the court hears a challenge to the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 10 .
“ It ’ s not about this justice .
It ’ s about any justice he would appoint right now , ” Pelosi said on CNN ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am concerned about is anyone that President Trump would have appointed was there to undo the Affordable Care Act.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will vote on Barrett ’ s nomination in the “ weeks ahead.
” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham said confirmation hearings will begin Oct. 12 .
A vote is expected Oct. 29 .
“ The Senate will confirm her next month , ” declared Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Arkansas , on CNN .
Other Republican senators say a post-election confirmation vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control the Senate in the lame duck period between the election and inauguration .
“ This needs to take all the time it needs to take , but it doesn ’ t need to take more time than it needs to take , ” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri , a member of the GOP Senate leadership , said on NBC 's “ Meet the Press . ''
“ But I think we ’ re likely to get this done sometime in the month of October.
” The Republican National Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight front and center with voters just weeks before Election Day .
The confirmation battle will be featured in a new $ 10 million RNC digital ad campaign to encourage battleground state voters to return vote-by-mail ballots or go to the polls .
The national party , in concert with President Trump 's campaign , is planning local events and protests across the country to support Barrett ’ s confirmation as well .
The party is also incorporating Barrett ’ s nomination into its scripts that staffers and volunteers use when calling or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a focus on social conservative Catholic and evangelical voters — particularly in swing states like Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Florida .
Filling the vacancy created by the death of Ginsburg has been an unexpected political opportunity for Trump , who won the White House in 2016 in large part because conservatives were animated around filling the seat opened by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia .
The RNC on Saturday unveiled a website , ConfirmBarrett.com , to allow supporters to contact lawmakers to urge them to put Barrett on the court .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmation fight , including Democratic vice president nominee Kamala Harris ' position on the Senate Judiciary committee .
“ With a full-throttled effort from now until President Trump ’ s nominee is confirmed , our teams will expose Democrats ’ partisanship , aggressively promote the qualifications of Judge Barrett , and use this issue to galvanize voters to the polls in November , ” said RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel .
Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press Writer Darlene Superville and Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington , Del.
, and Zeke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wants voters to see Republicans’ push for a speedy Supreme Court confirmation as an end-run of Congress and the 2010 health care law.
In remarks on Sunday, the former vice president sidestepped any talk of expanding the court (from 9 to 15 justices) to counter conservative gains should he defeat President Donald Trump in November and Democrats regain a Senate majority. Mr. Biden called that scenario a distraction from the practical effects that Trump’s nominee, conservative federal Judge Amy Barrett, could have if she succeeds the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“They see an opportunity to overturn the Affordable Care Act on their way out the door,” Mr. Biden said, speaking near his Delaware home. “The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court right now, as I speak, to eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act.”
Mr. Biden repeated his calls that the Senate delay confirmation proceedings until after the Nov. 3 election, moving ahead then if Mr. Trump wins another term or awaiting a nomination from Mr. Biden if the Democrat prevails.
The focus on health care reflects the Democrats' larger strategy in recent days. They tacitly concede Republicans are likely to confirm Ms. Barrett, giving conservatives a 6-3 court majority. So, rather than fight a losing battle, as they did with Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 confirmation, Democrats want to raise the pressure on Republicans by focusing on how a conservative supermajority of justices might affect Americans’ everyday lives.
Justices are scheduled on Nov. 10, a week after Election Day, to hear another challenge of the 2010 health care law. Mr. Biden noted the court has twice upheld the law, a signature achievement of President Barack Obama’s and Mr. Biden's White House tenure. But those were divided rulings, with Ms. Ginsburg in the narrowest of majorities.
“President Trump could claim all he wants that he is going to protect people with pre-existing conditions. But the fact is he’s already fighting to take those protections away,” Mr. Biden said, later reading from the administration’s brief before the court.
He listed several common conditions, including heart damage and other effects from the coronavirus that is still spreading, that could keep millions of Americans from qualifying for coverage if the law is gutted completely.
On Ms. Barrett, Mr. Trump on Sunday told reporters that it's going to be hard for Democrats “to dispute her qualifications or anything about her.”
Like Mr. Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to criticize Ms. Barrett directly earlier Sunday on CNN's “State of the Union.”
Later in the day, Mr. Biden’s only direct critique of Trump's nominee referred back to her writings as a University of Notre Dame professor, before she ascended to the federal bench in 2017.
“Prior to going on the bench, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion upholding the law,” Mr. Biden noted.
Ms. Barrett questioned John Roberts’ reasoning that Congress’ constitutional power to tax gave it authority to pass most of the law's provisions, especially the IRS penalty on individuals who didn’t buy health insurance. Conservatives insist the legislation was not reasonably a taxation bill. Congress has since, while under Republican control, scrapped the tax penalty, hoping to undercut Mr. Roberts' hook that upheld much of the statute.
Some progressives want Mr. Biden to threaten Republicans with scrapping the Senate filibuster altogether and expanding the Supreme Court with a slate of liberal appointees. Republicans have tried to use the issue in competitive Senate races and against Mr. Biden. He declined Sunday to take the bait on court expansion.
“What I’m not going to do is play the Trump game, which is a good game he plays to take your eye off the issue before us,” Mr. Biden said. “I am focused on making sure the American people understand that they are being cut out of this process … in order to take away the ACA and your healthcare in the midst of a pandemic.”
No justice has ever been confirmed to the Supreme Court so close to a presidential election with early voting already underway in some states. Republicans believe the fight ahead will boost voter enthusiasm for Mr. Trump and Senate Republicans at serious risk of losing their majority. Democrats warn Ms. Barrett's confirmation would almost certainly undo Americans' healthcare protections as the high court takes up a case against the Affordable Care Act in fall.
According to a national poll by The New York Times and Siena College that was released Sunday, a clear majority – or 56% – of voters believes the winner of the Nov. 3 presidential election should fill Ms. Ginsburg’s seat, vs. 41% who said Mr. Trump should as the current president. Mr. Biden has said he would nominate the first Black woman to the court, but has not released the names of his potential choices.
The poll, which was conducted last week, had a margin of sampling error of 3.5 percentage points.
Ms. Pelosi declined to say Sunday whether Ms. Barrett, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, is qualified to serve. But she argued that Mr. Trump was moving quickly to fill the vacancy before the court hears a challenge to the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 10.
“It’s not about this justice. It’s about any justice he would appoint right now,” Ms. Pelosi said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “What I am concerned about is anyone that President Trump would have appointed was there to undo the Affordable Care Act.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will vote on Ms. Barrett’s nomination in the “weeks ahead.” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham said confirmation hearings will begin Oct. 12. A vote is expected Oct. 29.
“The Senate will confirm her next month,” declared Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, on CNN.
Other Republican senators say a post-election confirmation vote is also possible. The GOP will continue to control the Senate in the lame duck period between the election and inauguration.
“This needs to take all the time it needs to take, but it doesn’t need to take more time than it needs to take,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the GOP Senate leadership, said on NBC's “Meet the Press."
“But I think we’re likely to get this done sometime in the month of October.”
The Republican National Committee is putting Ms. Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation fight front and center with voters just weeks before Election Day.
The confirmation battle will be featured in a new $10 million RNC digital ad campaign to encourage battleground state voters to return vote-by-mail ballots or go to the polls. The national party, in concert with Mr. Trump's campaign, is planning local events and protests across the country to support Ms. Barrett’s confirmation as well.
The party is also incorporating Ms. Barrett’s nomination into its scripts that staffers and volunteers use when calling or knocking on voters’ doors, with a focus on social conservative Catholic and evangelical voters — particularly in swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Filling the vacancy created by the death of Ms. Ginsburg has been an unexpected political opportunity for Mr. Trump, who won the White House in 2016 in large part because conservatives were animated around filling the seat opened by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
The RNC on Saturday unveiled a website, ConfirmBarrett.com, to allow supporters to contact lawmakers to urge them to put Ms. Barrett on the court. It also anticipates trying to fundraise off the confirmation fight, including Democratic vice president nominee Kamala Harris' position on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“With a full-throttled effort from now until President Trump’s nominee is confirmed, our teams will expose Democrats’ partisanship, aggressively promote the qualifications of Judge Barrett, and use this issue to galvanize voters to the polls in November,” said RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Will Weissert in Wilmington, Del., and Zeke Miller in Washington, contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-09-28--Trump’s taxes: a question of leadership, not just legality

Whether Mr. Trump violated laws is not yet clear .
But tax experts say that presidents have a special role as example-setters in a system of voluntary compliance for supporting a shared government .
“ The extent of his avoidance is remarkable , ” says Vanessa Williamson , a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center .
President Trump is not shy about congratulating himself as a successful businessman , and has boasted about his affinity for debt and ability to take advantage of tax loopholes , which he has said makes him “ smart.
” The Times ’ report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump firms have received more money from foreign sources than previously made public .
Hundreds of millions of dollars in loans personally guaranteed by the president will come due soon – as the IRS continues to audit a $ 72 million tax refund Mr. Trump has already received .
After years of resisting calls to release his tax returns , Donald Trump is suddenly facing new public scrutiny of his finances .
According to tax records obtained by The New York Times , Mr. Trump paid no federal income taxes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deductions and claimed business losses offset income .
“ Make sure you pay your taxes , ” Richard Nixon told the British journalist David Frost in a 1977 interview .
“ Otherwise you can get in a lot of trouble.
” The former president knew this from bitter experience .
During his first term he took big deductions that looked bad when leaked to the press .
President Nixon lost half his net worth before the scandal subsided .
Now President Donald Trump is getting a lot of attention for big deductions – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been leaked to the press .
A huge New York Times ’ story covers over 20 years ’ worth of President Trump ’ s personal financial records .
His situation is far from analogous with Nixon ’ s , of course .
His taxes may seem startling to an average American – he paid only $ 750 in income tax in 2017 .
But it remains unclear whether he did anything illegal , or even unusual for wealthy owners of commercial real estate .
However , in one sense the two cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading by example .
When it comes to tax loopholes , are presidents ordinary citizens who can fight for every advantage ?
Or should they treat their tax obligations as symbolic of their character and attitude toward the business of American government as a whole ?
In their first years as president , Barack Obama paid $ 1.79 million in taxes , while George W. Bush paid $ 250,000 .
U.S. presidents are both the taxpayer-in-chief and the tax-collector-in-chief , says Joe Thorndike , a tax historian and expert who ’ s written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit at the top of a system that , in the end , relies on voluntary compliance .
The faith of citizens in its integrity matters – a lot .
“ We depend on people being honest , and it ’ s important to know the president is honest too , ” says Dr. Thorndike .
“ Extent of his avoidance is remarkable ” The trove of tax information received by the Times represents the clearest and most extensive available picture , by far , of President Trump ’ s tax obligations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall the president paid no federal income taxes in 11 of the 18 years Times reporters examined .
His incoming cash was more than offset by a gusher of claimed losses at his golf courses , Washington hotel , and other businesses , as well as deductions for business expenses .
Among the details : Mr. Trump ’ s firms appeared to pay more than $ 20 million in ( deductible ) consulting fees to his adult children , who in some cases were already employees of those firms .
Personal expenses claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid out for hairstyling during Mr. Trump ’ s stint on “ The Apprentice.
” During the Trump presidency , the Trump firms have received more money from foreign sources than previously made public .
Hundreds of millions of dollars in loans personally guaranteed by the president will come due soon – as the Internal Revenue Service continues to audit a $ 72 million tax refund Mr. Trump has already received .
In general , it looks like the president and his companies have taken aggressive tax positions , says Mark Mazur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also blur the line between personal and business expenses , which can be a red flag for the IRS .
“ It ’ s surprising to see example after example where that was the case , ” he says .
It ’ s not unusual for real estate investors to have low or negative tax rates , due to the debt they incur to invest in their businesses and the pattern of incoming rents and outgoing expenses , says Dr. Mazur , a former assistant secretary of tax policy at the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s different here is the scale .
It ’ s not a little bit , it ’ s a lot , ” he says .
President Trump is not shy about congratulating himself as a successful businessman , and has boasted about his affinity for debt and ability to take advantage of tax loopholes , which he has said makes him “ smart.
” “ But the extent of his avoidance is remarkable , ” says Vanessa Williamson , a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center and author of “ Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Pay Taxes.
” “ The precision with which he has produced tax avoidance through losses of money is really extraordinary.
” But just because something is carried out on an unprecedented scale does not mean that it is de facto illegal .
The size of President Trump ’ s business losses and the fact that they have continued to occur year after year may be highly unusual , say conservative defenders of the president .
But he ’ s only doing what lots of wealthy people do when they plan to minimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is extremely complex and continues to be riddled with loopholes and other ways to avoid paying Uncle Sam .
In that sense the president ’ s tax returns may be a window into the nature of the nation ’ s financial system as much or more than revelations about Mr. Trump ’ s own planning .
“ I think most people understand that this practice is common , ” says Daniel Weiner , deputy director of the Brennan Center for Justice 's election reform program .
“ And frankly these sorts of loopholes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product of much deeper dysfunction in our democracy.
” In the 1970s Nixon tried to make a big deduction through an existing loophole that had been used only for small deductions in the past .
He released his tax returns in late November 1973 , following a grilling on his personal finances and the developing Watergate scandal by newspaper editors at a question-and-answer session at Walt Disney World .
( It was during this session that he made his famous remark , “ People have got to know whether or not their president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am not a crook.
” ) The returns revealed that Nixon had claimed a $ 576,000 deduction based on the perceived value of a charitable donation of his vice-presidential papers to a government archive .
For 1970 this reduced his tax liability to $ 792.81 .
The deduction was legal at the time .
President Dwight Eisenhower had done the same .
But the drastic tax reduction became controversial , and Nixon had backdated the donation in error .
An investigation showed he owed a considerable amount in back taxes , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his net worth .
In 1976 candidate Jimmy Carter released his full tax returns to bolster his image as a plain man of the people .
He won – and releasing returns became a norm and ritual for presidential nominees , until candidate Donald Trump declined to follow suit .
The exposure of any potential conflicts of interest is not the only reason that norm was important , says Vanessa Williamson of the Tax Policy Center .
It was also about setting an example .
“ You do that because elected officials should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just the average , ” she says .
After all , the entire U.S. tax system relies on taxpayer self-assessment and rule-following .
Few returns are audited .
Most Americans are willing to pay their fair share if they think others are ( roughly ) paying a fair share too .
Blatant tax cheating by elites can collapse this social compact .
Look at Greece , where widespread political corruption over the years fed a culture of tax avoidance that costs the government substantial revenue .
“ At a time when often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes , including to support many things that they might not individually agree with whether it ’ s wars or expansive social programs , a person who is at the head of our government arguably should be setting an example , ” says Mr. Weiner of the Brennan Center .

Whether Mr. Trump violated laws is not yet clear. But tax experts say that presidents have a special role as example-setters in a system of voluntary compliance for supporting a shared government. “The extent of his avoidance is remarkable,” says Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center.
President Trump is not shy about congratulating himself as a successful businessman, and has boasted about his affinity for debt and ability to take advantage of tax loopholes, which he has said makes him “smart.”
Using available loopholes to avoid taxes may be a time-honored tradition. But it can be risky politics, as citizens look to leaders to model financial integrity.
The Times’ report also concluded that during the Trump presidency, the Trump firms have received more money from foreign sources than previously made public. Hundreds of millions of dollars in loans personally guaranteed by the president will come due soon – as the IRS continues to audit a $72 million tax refund Mr. Trump has already received.
After years of resisting calls to release his tax returns, Donald Trump is suddenly facing new public scrutiny of his finances. According to tax records obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Trump paid no federal income taxes in 11 of 18 years examined, as deductions and claimed business losses offset income.
“Make sure you pay your taxes,” Richard Nixon told the British journalist David Frost in a 1977 interview. “Otherwise you can get in a lot of trouble.”
The former president knew this from bitter experience. During his first term he took big deductions that looked bad when leaked to the press. President Nixon lost half his net worth before the scandal subsided.
Now President Donald Trump is getting a lot of attention for big deductions – and other tax-reducing financial maneuvers – that have been leaked to the press. A huge New York Times story covers over 20 years’ worth of President Trump’s personal financial records.
Why We Wrote This Using available loopholes to avoid taxes may be a time-honored tradition. But it can be risky politics, as citizens look to leaders to model financial integrity.
His situation is far from analogous with Nixon’s, of course. His taxes may seem startling to an average American – he paid only $750 in income tax in 2017. But it remains unclear whether he did anything illegal, or even unusual for wealthy owners of commercial real estate.
However, in one sense the two cases may be similar: the question of leading by example. When it comes to tax loopholes, are presidents ordinary citizens who can fight for every advantage? Or should they treat their tax obligations as symbolic of their character and attitude toward the business of American government as a whole? In their first years as president, Barack Obama paid $1.79 million in taxes, while George W. Bush paid $250,000.
U.S. presidents are both the taxpayer-in-chief and the tax-collector-in-chief, says Joe Thorndike, a tax historian and expert who’s written extensively on the Nixon case. They sit at the top of a system that, in the end, relies on voluntary compliance. The faith of citizens in its integrity matters – a lot.
“We depend on people being honest, and it’s important to know the president is honest too,” says Dr. Thorndike.
“Extent of his avoidance is remarkable”
The trove of tax information received by the Times represents the clearest and most extensive available picture, by far, of President Trump’s tax obligations and the financial structure of his companies.
Overall the president paid no federal income taxes in 11 of the 18 years Times reporters examined. His incoming cash was more than offset by a gusher of claimed losses at his golf courses, Washington hotel, and other businesses, as well as deductions for business expenses.
Among the details: Mr. Trump’s firms appeared to pay more than $20 million in (deductible) consulting fees to his adult children, who in some cases were already employees of those firms. Personal expenses claimed for deductions include more than $70,000 paid out for hairstyling during Mr. Trump’s stint on “The Apprentice.”
During the Trump presidency, the Trump firms have received more money from foreign sources than previously made public. Hundreds of millions of dollars in loans personally guaranteed by the president will come due soon – as the Internal Revenue Service continues to audit a $72 million tax refund Mr. Trump has already received.
In general, it looks like the president and his companies have taken aggressive tax positions, says Mark Mazur, director of the Tax Policy Center. They also blur the line between personal and business expenses, which can be a red flag for the IRS.
“It’s surprising to see example after example where that was the case,” he says.
It’s not unusual for real estate investors to have low or negative tax rates, due to the debt they incur to invest in their businesses and the pattern of incoming rents and outgoing expenses, says Dr. Mazur, a former assistant secretary of tax policy at the Department of the Treasury.
“But what’s different here is the scale. It’s not a little bit, it’s a lot,” he says.
President Trump is not shy about congratulating himself as a successful businessman, and has boasted about his affinity for debt and ability to take advantage of tax loopholes, which he has said makes him “smart.”
“But the extent of his avoidance is remarkable,” says Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center and author of “Read My Lips: Why Americans are Proud to Pay Taxes.” “The precision with which he has produced tax avoidance through losses of money is really extraordinary.”
But just because something is carried out on an unprecedented scale does not mean that it is de facto illegal.
The size of President Trump’s business losses and the fact that they have continued to occur year after year may be highly unusual, say conservative defenders of the president. But he’s only doing what lots of wealthy people do when they plan to minimize their taxes. The U.S. tax code is extremely complex and continues to be riddled with loopholes and other ways to avoid paying Uncle Sam.
In that sense the president’s tax returns may be a window into the nature of the nation’s financial system as much or more than revelations about Mr. Trump’s own planning.
“I think most people understand that this practice is common,” says Daniel Weiner, deputy director of the Brennan Center for Justice's election reform program. “And frankly these sorts of loopholes in our tax code are ultimately a product of much deeper dysfunction in our democracy.”
A post-Nixon tradition: releasing tax records
In the 1970s Nixon tried to make a big deduction through an existing loophole that had been used only for small deductions in the past.
He released his tax returns in late November 1973, following a grilling on his personal finances and the developing Watergate scandal by newspaper editors at a question-and-answer session at Walt Disney World. (It was during this session that he made his famous remark, “People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I am not a crook.”)
The returns revealed that Nixon had claimed a $576,000 deduction based on the perceived value of a charitable donation of his vice-presidential papers to a government archive. For 1970 this reduced his tax liability to $792.81.
The deduction was legal at the time. President Dwight Eisenhower had done the same. But the drastic tax reduction became controversial, and Nixon had backdated the donation in error. An investigation showed he owed a considerable amount in back taxes, which he paid, at a high cost to his net worth.
In 1976 candidate Jimmy Carter released his full tax returns to bolster his image as a plain man of the people. He won – and releasing returns became a norm and ritual for presidential nominees, until candidate Donald Trump declined to follow suit.
The exposure of any potential conflicts of interest is not the only reason that norm was important, says Vanessa Williamson of the Tax Policy Center. It was also about setting an example.
“You do that because elected officials should represent a higher virtue in their dealings than just the average,” she says.
After all, the entire U.S. tax system relies on taxpayer self-assessment and rule-following. Few returns are audited. Most Americans are willing to pay their fair share if they think others are (roughly) paying a fair share too.
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Blatant tax cheating by elites can collapse this social compact. Look at Greece, where widespread political corruption over the years fed a culture of tax avoidance that costs the government substantial revenue.
“At a time when often the American people are expected to pay taxes, including to support many things that they might not individually agree with whether it’s wars or expansive social programs, a person who is at the head of our government arguably should be setting an example,” says Mr. Weiner of the Brennan Center.