csmonitor--2020-07-28--Coronavirus relief: GOP caught between ideals and economic reality

“ The cost of the [ Paycheck Protection Program loans ] or related business assistance programs is significantly cheaper than the cost of millions of businesses going under , ” says Brian Riedl , an economic policy expert at the conservative Manhattan Institute .
“ Congress should absolutely spend what it takes to keep businesses afloat.
” Yet even many conservatives say the riskiest move right now would be for government to give too little help , rather than too much .
And time is of the essence .
House Democrats have already passed a $ 3 trillion rescue bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 trillion to aid struggling Americans and an ailing economy .
The gap is ideological – Republicans have traditionally been a party of economic individualism , not big government , and some express concern about profligate spending .
Unemployment benefits to some 30 million Americans are poised to diminish after this week , while safeguards against tenant evictions have already expired at the federal level and in some states .
Emergency loans to businesses are also fading , and more job losses are shifting from temporary to permanent .
As the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief programs , Democrats and Republicans in Congress are locked in negotiations over the next round of aid .
As the economy approaches a daunting cliff of expiring coronavirus relief programs , House Democrats have already responded by passing an economic rescue bill that ’ s even bigger than the first .
Republicans are exhibiting a very different mindset – espousing the view that , despite the urgency of the moment , it ’ s better not to rush in spending such large sums of taxpayer money .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May , and on Monday he defended that cautious approach , even as his party proposed a roughly $ 1 trillion plan to offer new aid to struggling Americans and an ailing economy .
House Democrats , with their HEROES Act , would spend another $ 3 trillion .
On Tuesday , they painted GOP senators as harming the economy with their slowness to act .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
The gap is rooted heavily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party of economic individualism , not big government .
Some GOP senators would rather pass no bill than what they view as a profligate one .
In the end , however , pragmatism and politics are likely to bring the two sides toward a compromise as they negotiate a relief package that , judging by economic data , is acutely needed .
Whether one views Senate Republicans as a useful check against liberal excess or a source of needless delay and parsimony , conservative lawmakers appear poised to play a pivotal role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for the economy .
“ The strategy of the Democrats is ‘ bigger is better , ’ and that we need to aim a Keynesian bazooka at the economy in order to get it going , ” says Brian Riedl , an economic policy expert at the conservative Manhattan Institute .
“ By contrast , Republicans are taking the approach that we need targeted social insurance to keep businesses and families afloat ... but that we want to do this without spending anything beyond what is necessary.
” The Republican plan still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” checks for households to money for school systems and for coronavirus testing and vaccines .
Among the sources of disagreement with Democrats : Republicans want to be less generous in providing extra assistance for unemployed people , and more generous toward businesses by shielding them from potential lawsuits over the COVID-19 disease .
“ This is not free money , ” said GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida , last Thursday .
“ In the end , someone is going to pay taxes for this.
” Whatever Congress does , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taxpayer dollars gets “ a return , ” Senator Scott said , in an interview outside the Senate chamber .
For him , shielding businesses from liability is key to aiding an economic recovery , as are funds for coronavirus testing .
“ Congress should absolutely spend what it takes ” Even for disciples of John Maynard Keynes – the British economist who pioneered the idea that government spending could lift economies out of recession – it ’ s clear that pouring in federal dollars is at best a partial fix for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without progress toward getting the coronavirus pandemic under control , restoring normal activity for consumers and businesses is unrealistic .
Yet that doesn ’ t mean the next round of federal relief isn ’ t critical .
Already about 30 million Americans are relying on unemployment benefits , which are poised to diminish after this week with the expiration of a special boost enacted by Congress in March .
Similarly , safeguards against tenant evictions during the pandemic emergency have expired recently at the federal level and in some states .
Emergency loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act in March – are fading as a prop-up to help pandemic-affected employers .
By some recent indicators , businesses are increasingly feeling unable to survive the long wait for a rebound , and job losses are shifting from temporary to permanent .
Mr. Riedl , while generally sharing the conservative instinct against big spending , says the riskiest move right now would be for government to give too little help , not too much .
And time is of the essence .
“ We ’ re already seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers , ” he says .
“ The cost of the [ Paycheck Protection Program loans ] or related business assistance programs is significantly cheaper than the cost of millions of businesses going under , keeping the unemployment rate high , and prolonging the downturn several years .
Congress should absolutely spend what it takes to keep businesses afloat.
” Negotiations with Democrats over a final bill that both the House and Senate can approve ( and the president sign ) may last into early August .
But in the end , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motive to strike a deal .
Failing to act would be a big election-year liability , at a time when the economy is operating far below its capacity and the pandemic is not contained .
“ The longer Congress negotiates what our next [ relief bill ] will look like , the longer American families are suffering , the longer American business is hurting , and the longer we are delaying our economic vibrancy in this country , ” says C. LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna , vice president of government affairs at the U.S. Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing the two sides toward common ground .
Both sides want to help schools operate amid the budget squeeze , and to address the pandemic itself .
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Monday his party is ready to spend billions to support production of vaccines – even if some of that money is wasted on vaccines that prove ineffective .
The idea : having a successful vaccine ready for public use in January rather than next May “ is worth billions of dollars ” more to the economy .
And both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some senators in both parties support not only a new round of loans for hard-hit small businesses , but also making additional investment money available to firms in distressed neighborhoods across the country .
Speaking in a corrective tone toward some members of his own party , GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said Monday that business loans are “ not a bailout .
This is about viable companies who are struggling because of necessary government regulations.
” Yet alongside likely points of bipartisan agreement are partisan rifts to be overcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need ?
Should the bill include Democratic priorities like stepped-up nutrition assistance , more relief from eviction , and hazard pay for essential workers during the pandemic ?
Where to draw a line of compromise on the overall size of the package ?
The most publicized divide – and one that puts the parties ’ ideological differences in sharp relief – is over unemployment benefits .
Republicans are resisting an extension of the $ 600-per-week CARES Act supplement to the regular unemployment insurance that states offer .
They argue that , with many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they did working , it ’ s a disincentive to return to jobs .
Their proposal : Replace 70 % of income for the unemployed , and offer a new hiring bonus for people who go back to work .
Since some states are unable , administratively , to implement relief as a percentage of lost income , the GOP plan would temporarily offer a flat federal supplement again , but at $ 200 per week rather than $ 600 .
To supporters , this proposal still offers bolstered aid to the unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hewing to the conservative ideal of promoting individual responsibility .
“ It just wouldn ’ t be fair to use taxpayer dollars to pay more people to sit home , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a TV appearance Sunday .
But critics of the proposal say generosity toward the jobless is warranted on both economic grounds and out of justice toward individuals .
“ There ’ s a sort of basic question of fairness here , ” says Ernie Tedeschi , a former U.S. Treasury economist now at the strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are not able to work and not able to make money because we had , in many cases , shut down their places of business to control a pandemic .
So it just seems fair to me that those families should be made entirely whole.
” As for the economy , he sees little evidence that generous benefits are harming the labor market .
Job seekers far outnumber available jobs , and “ if we withdraw it too early , we really run the risk of a pretty serious self-inflicted wound on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer spending , Mr. Tedeschi says .
Although the Hispanic Chamber hasn ’ t taken a stand in the debate over jobless benefits , Mr. Cavazos-Reyna notes that the stakes are particularly high for Latino and Black Americans .
“ Latinos and African Americans are some of the hardest hit populations in this country health-wise when you look at the pandemic , and hitting them again economically would just be disastrous , ” he says .
Susan Dawson , board chair-elect at the National Association of Women Business Owners , says the CARES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair share of relief to minority populations and women .
In her view , a top economic priority – once safety allows – is reopening schools , not just for the sake of kids but also for parents who are straddling roles as remote workers and caregivers .
“ I suddenly went from not just a full-time working business owner but also having to suddenly learn how to be a teacher to some degree , ” she says .
Like Mr. Cavazos-Reyna , Ms. Dawson has been hearing from business owners about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sooner a bipartisan deal can be reached , the better .
Many economists , while acknowledging that deficits could become a future drag on economic growth , say the top priority now should be clear to both parties .
“ We know the pandemic is having a sharp and persistently negative effect on household income and the American economy right now , ” Mr. Tedeschi says .
“ That should be our priority .
”

“The cost of the [Paycheck Protection Program loans] or related business assistance programs is significantly cheaper than the cost of millions of businesses going under,” says Brian Riedl, an economic policy expert at the conservative Manhattan Institute. “Congress should absolutely spend what it takes to keep businesses afloat.”
Yet even many conservatives say the riskiest move right now would be for government to give too little help, rather than too much. And time is of the essence.
House Democrats have already passed a $3 trillion rescue bill, while Senate Republicans are proposing roughly $1 trillion to aid struggling Americans and an ailing economy. The gap is ideological – Republicans have traditionally been a party of economic individualism, not big government, and some express concern about profligate spending.
Both parties say it’s urgent for the federal government to continue propping up businesses and average Americans with a new relief bill. But rifts over the size of the package – and which elements are most critical – remain.
Unemployment benefits to some 30 million Americans are poised to diminish after this week, while safeguards against tenant evictions have already expired at the federal level and in some states. Emergency loans to businesses are also fading, and more job losses are shifting from temporary to permanent.
As the economy approaches a daunting cliff of expiring coronavirus relief programs, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are locked in negotiations over the next round of aid.
As the economy approaches a daunting cliff of expiring coronavirus relief programs, House Democrats have already responded by passing an economic rescue bill that’s even bigger than the first.
Republicans are exhibiting a very different mindset – espousing the view that, despite the urgency of the moment, it’s better not to rush in spending such large sums of taxpayer money.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued for a “pause” back in May, and on Monday he defended that cautious approach, even as his party proposed a roughly $1 trillion plan to offer new aid to struggling Americans and an ailing economy. House Democrats, with their HEROES Act, would spend another $3 trillion. On Tuesday, they painted GOP senators as harming the economy with their slowness to act.
Why We Wrote This Both parties say it’s urgent for the federal government to continue propping up businesses and average Americans with a new relief bill. But rifts over the size of the package – and which elements are most critical – remain.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
The gap is rooted heavily in ideology. Republicans have traditionally been a party of economic individualism, not big government. Some GOP senators would rather pass no bill than what they view as a profligate one.
In the end, however, pragmatism and politics are likely to bring the two sides toward a compromise as they negotiate a relief package that, judging by economic data, is acutely needed. Whether one views Senate Republicans as a useful check against liberal excess or a source of needless delay and parsimony, conservative lawmakers appear poised to play a pivotal role in the next policy steps at a critical time for the economy.
“The strategy of the Democrats is ‘bigger is better,’ and that we need to aim a Keynesian bazooka at the economy in order to get it going,” says Brian Riedl, an economic policy expert at the conservative Manhattan Institute. “By contrast, Republicans are taking the approach that we need targeted social insurance to keep businesses and families afloat ... but that we want to do this without spending anything beyond what is necessary.”
The Republican plan still includes everything from new “economic impact” checks for households to money for school systems and for coronavirus testing and vaccines. Among the sources of disagreement with Democrats: Republicans want to be less generous in providing extra assistance for unemployed people, and more generous toward businesses by shielding them from potential lawsuits over the COVID-19 disease.
“This is not free money,” said GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, last Thursday. “In the end, someone is going to pay taxes for this.”
Whatever Congress does, it’s important to make sure the investment of taxpayer dollars gets “a return,” Senator Scott said, in an interview outside the Senate chamber. For him, shielding businesses from liability is key to aiding an economic recovery, as are funds for coronavirus testing.
“Congress should absolutely spend what it takes”
Even for disciples of John Maynard Keynes – the British economist who pioneered the idea that government spending could lift economies out of recession – it’s clear that pouring in federal dollars is at best a partial fix for the economy’s current troubles. Without progress toward getting the coronavirus pandemic under control, restoring normal activity for consumers and businesses is unrealistic.
Yet that doesn’t mean the next round of federal relief isn’t critical.
Already about 30 million Americans are relying on unemployment benefits, which are poised to diminish after this week with the expiration of a special boost enacted by Congress in March. Similarly, safeguards against tenant evictions during the pandemic emergency have expired recently at the federal level and in some states.
Emergency loans to businesses – also dating from the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March – are fading as a prop-up to help pandemic-affected employers. By some recent indicators, businesses are increasingly feeling unable to survive the long wait for a rebound, and job losses are shifting from temporary to permanent.
Mr. Riedl, while generally sharing the conservative instinct against big spending, says the riskiest move right now would be for government to give too little help, not too much. And time is of the essence.
“We’re already seeing reports of restaurants closing permanently in large numbers,” he says. “The cost of the [Paycheck Protection Program loans] or related business assistance programs is significantly cheaper than the cost of millions of businesses going under, keeping the unemployment rate high, and prolonging the downturn several years. Congress should absolutely spend what it takes to keep businesses afloat.”
Negotiations with Democrats over a final bill that both the House and Senate can approve (and the president sign) may last into early August. But in the end, Republicans who control the Senate have a powerful motive to strike a deal.
Failing to act would be a big election-year liability, at a time when the economy is operating far below its capacity and the pandemic is not contained.
“The longer Congress negotiates what our next [relief bill] will look like, the longer American families are suffering, the longer American business is hurting, and the longer we are delaying our economic vibrancy in this country,” says C. LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna, vice president of government affairs at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
That reality is pushing the two sides toward common ground. Both sides want to help schools operate amid the budget squeeze, and to address the pandemic itself.
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Monday his party is ready to spend billions to support production of vaccines – even if some of that money is wasted on vaccines that prove ineffective. The idea: having a successful vaccine ready for public use in January rather than next May “is worth billions of dollars” more to the economy.
And both sides know that businesses need additional help. Some senators in both parties support not only a new round of loans for hard-hit small businesses, but also making additional investment money available to firms in distressed neighborhoods across the country.
Speaking in a corrective tone toward some members of his own party, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said Monday that business loans are “not a bailout. This is about viable companies who are struggling because of necessary government regulations.”
Partisan rifts to be overcome
Yet alongside likely points of bipartisan agreement are partisan rifts to be overcome.
How much aid do states and cities need? Should the bill include Democratic priorities like stepped-up nutrition assistance, more relief from eviction, and hazard pay for essential workers during the pandemic? Where to draw a line of compromise on the overall size of the package?
The most publicized divide – and one that puts the parties’ ideological differences in sharp relief – is over unemployment benefits.
Republicans are resisting an extension of the $600-per-week CARES Act supplement to the regular unemployment insurance that states offer. They argue that, with many people getting more income while jobless than they did working, it’s a disincentive to return to jobs.
Their proposal: Replace 70% of income for the unemployed, and offer a new hiring bonus for people who go back to work. Since some states are unable, administratively, to implement relief as a percentage of lost income, the GOP plan would temporarily offer a flat federal supplement again, but at $200 per week rather than $600.
To supporters, this proposal still offers bolstered aid to the unemployed during a time of emergency, while also hewing to the conservative ideal of promoting individual responsibility.
“It just wouldn’t be fair to use taxpayer dollars to pay more people to sit home,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a TV appearance Sunday.
But critics of the proposal say generosity toward the jobless is warranted on both economic grounds and out of justice toward individuals.
“There’s a sort of basic question of fairness here,” says Ernie Tedeschi, a former U.S. Treasury economist now at the strategic advisory firm Evercore ISI. “These people are not able to work and not able to make money because we had, in many cases, shut down their places of business to control a pandemic. So it just seems fair to me that those families should be made entirely whole.”
As for the economy, he sees little evidence that generous benefits are harming the labor market. Job seekers far outnumber available jobs, and “if we withdraw it too early, we really run the risk of a pretty serious self-inflicted wound on the U.S. recovery,” by undercutting consumer spending, Mr. Tedeschi says.
Although the Hispanic Chamber hasn’t taken a stand in the debate over jobless benefits, Mr. Cavazos-Reyna notes that the stakes are particularly high for Latino and Black Americans.
“Latinos and African Americans are some of the hardest hit populations in this country health-wise when you look at the pandemic, and hitting them again economically would just be disastrous,” he says.
Susan Dawson, board chair-elect at the National Association of Women Business Owners, says the CARES Act in general failed to bring a fair share of relief to minority populations and women.
In her view, a top economic priority – once safety allows – is reopening schools, not just for the sake of kids but also for parents who are straddling roles as remote workers and caregivers. “I suddenly went from not just a full-time working business owner but also having to suddenly learn how to be a teacher to some degree,” she says.
Like Mr. Cavazos-Reyna, Ms. Dawson has been hearing from business owners about their need for loans and other relief – and the sooner a bipartisan deal can be reached, the better.
Many economists, while acknowledging that deficits could become a future drag on economic growth, say the top priority now should be clear to both parties.
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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.
“We know the pandemic is having a sharp and persistently negative effect on household income and the American economy right now,” Mr. Tedeschi says. “That should be our priority.”
Staff writer Noah Robertson contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Progress watch: Where dolphins get a second chance at life

Vermont is tackling a “ throwaway culture ” by banning food waste in trash .
The Food Scrap Ban is the country ’ s first statewide ban on food waste – an ambitious move that lawmakers say is necessary to achieve the state ’ s goal of diverting 50 % of all waste away from landfills .
Officials have found that roughly 20 % of residents ’ trash is food waste , which is a significant source of methane , a powerful greenhouse gas .
The new legislation is designed to provide more opportunities for drop-off and curbside collection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for food rescue and donation efforts .
The law came into effect in July , along with new regulations limiting single-use plastics and plastic foam .
The Sudanese government has taken a “ great first step ” toward improving its human rights record with wide-reaching legal reforms , activists say .
The imposition of strict Islamist laws in the early 1980s was a major catalyst for Sudan ’ s long-running civil war , but now , after more than 30 years and the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir , Sudan is relaxing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised laws , women no longer need a male relative ’ s permission to travel with their children .
The country has also decriminalized apostasy , or the act of renouncing one ’ s faith – in this case Islam – an act previously punishable by death .
Gay sex will no longer be punished by flogging or execution , but still risks prison terms ranging from five years to life .
The number of undernourished people in India has declined by 60 million since 2004 , according to the United Nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a countertrend to growing hunger worldwide , along with similar improvements in China .
Both shifts are attributed to economic growth , reduced inequality , and improved access to basic services , such as supermarkets in India ’ s rural areas .
Some say India ’ s figures are a sign that government efforts to combat starvation , including school lunch programs , are gradually bearing fruit .
The prevalence of undernourishment in the general population went from 21.7 % in 2004-06 to 14 % in 2017-19 .
Stunting in children under 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 to 34.7 % in 2019 .
The launch of the United Arab Emirates ’ Amal spacecraft marks the first interplanetary mission of the Arab world , once a hub of mathematical and scientific innovation .
Amal , meaning “ hope , ” is expected to reach Mars in February , and will start transmitting data later that year .
Emirati scientists say the atmospheric observations will be available to the international scientific community .
The UAE is a newcomer in space development , but the wealthy Gulf nation has already launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orbit , and sent its first astronaut to the International Space Station in late September .
To build the Amal spacecraft , the Emiratis partnered with researchers from several U.S. universities and used Japan ’ s launching services .
The Bali Dolphin Sanctuary is helping rehabilitate previously captive dolphins , potentially offering a model for similar efforts around the globe .
More than 3,000 dolphins are in captivity across 336 entertainment venues worldwide , according to a 2019 report by World Animal Protection .
But returning dolphins to the wild is no simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals ’ ability to catch food and relearn other skills they lost in captivity , including the use of sonar to navigate the vast ocean and communicate with other dolphins .
To address these challenges , the Dolphin Project – a charity run by dolphin-trainer-turned-activist Ric O ’ Barry – has partnered with the Bali government and animal rights groups to open what they describe as the world ’ s first permanent rehabilitation center .
Dolphins unable to make the transition can live out their retirement in the sanctuary .
Mr. O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model that can be replicated in other places where dolphinariums have closed down .
Australia appointed Benson Saulo as the country ’ s first Indigenous consul-general .
In his post in the United States , he will be tasked with strengthening the U.S.-Australia relationship .
Mr. Saulo has roots in the Wemba Wemba , Jardwadjali , and Gunditjmara nations of western Victoria , and will relocate to Houston at the end of the year .
The historic appointment comes as Black Lives Matter protests help shed light on Indigenous rights movements in Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Aboriginal person to hold the position of an Australian consul-general comes with a huge weight of responsibility but then also a sense of achievement , ” Mr. Saulo said .
He ’ s looking forward to “ being able to share my culture in the U.S. and connect with other Indigenous people and highlight ... the global Indigenous economy .
”

1. United States
Vermont is tackling a “throwaway culture” by banning food waste in trash. The Food Scrap Ban is the country’s first statewide ban on food waste – an ambitious move that lawmakers say is necessary to achieve the state’s goal of diverting 50% of all waste away from landfills. Officials have found that roughly 20% of residents’ trash is food waste, which is a significant source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The new legislation is designed to provide more opportunities for drop-off and curbside collection, resources for at-home composting, and support for food rescue and donation efforts. The law came into effect in July, along with new regulations limiting single-use plastics and plastic foam.
Fast Company, Burlington Free Press
Why We Wrote This This is more than feel-good news – it's where the world is making concrete progress. A roundup of positive stories to inspire you.
2. Sudan
The Sudanese government has taken a “great first step” toward improving its human rights record with wide-reaching legal reforms, activists say. The imposition of strict Islamist laws in the early 1980s was a major catalyst for Sudan’s long-running civil war, but now, after more than 30 years and the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir, Sudan is relaxing its most conservative rules. Under the revised laws, women no longer need a male relative’s permission to travel with their children. The country has also decriminalized apostasy, or the act of renouncing one’s faith – in this case Islam – an act previously punishable by death. Gay sex will no longer be punished by flogging or execution, but still risks prison terms ranging from five years to life.
BBC, Reuters
3. India
The number of undernourished people in India has declined by 60 million since 2004, according to the United Nations. A new U.N. report presents India as a countertrend to growing hunger worldwide, along with similar improvements in China.
Both shifts are attributed to economic growth, reduced inequality, and improved access to basic services, such as supermarkets in India’s rural areas. Some say India’s figures are a sign that government efforts to combat starvation, including school lunch programs, are gradually bearing fruit. The prevalence of undernourishment in the general population went from 21.7% in 2004-06 to 14% in 2017-19. Stunting in children under 5 years old also declined from 47.8% in 2012 to 34.7% in 2019.
The Hindu, India Times
MHI/AP View caption Hide caption A Japanese H-IIA rocket with United Arab Emirates’ Mars orbiter launches from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima, Japan, on July 20, 2020.
4. United Arab Emirates
The launch of the United Arab Emirates’ Amal spacecraft marks the first interplanetary mission of the Arab world, once a hub of mathematical and scientific innovation. Amal, meaning “hope,” is expected to reach Mars in February, and will start transmitting data later that year. Emirati scientists say the atmospheric observations will be available to the international scientific community.
The UAE is a newcomer in space development, but the wealthy Gulf nation has already launched three observation satellites into Earth’s orbit, and sent its first astronaut to the International Space Station in late September. To build the Amal spacecraft, the Emiratis partnered with researchers from several U.S. universities and used Japan’s launching services.
The Associated Press
Pepe Arcos/Courtesy of DolphinProject.com View caption Hide caption Rocky And Rambo At Bali Dolphin Sanctuary.
5. Indonesia
The Bali Dolphin Sanctuary is helping rehabilitate previously captive dolphins, potentially offering a model for similar efforts around the globe. More than 3,000 dolphins are in captivity across 336 entertainment venues worldwide, according to a 2019 report by World Animal Protection. But returning dolphins to the wild is no simple task. Successful rehabilitation hinges on the animals’ ability to catch food and relearn other skills they lost in captivity, including the use of sonar to navigate the vast ocean and communicate with other dolphins.
To address these challenges, the Dolphin Project – a charity run by dolphin-trainer-turned-activist Ric O’Barry – has partnered with the Bali government and animal rights groups to open what they describe as the world’s first permanent rehabilitation center. Dolphins unable to make the transition can live out their retirement in the sanctuary. Mr. O’Barry says the Bali center is a model that can be replicated in other places where dolphinariums have closed down.
Reuters, World Animal Protection
6. Australia
Australia appointed Benson Saulo as the country’s first Indigenous consul-general. In his post in the United States, he will be tasked with strengthening the U.S.-Australia relationship. Mr. Saulo has roots in the Wemba Wemba, Jardwadjali, and Gunditjmara nations of western Victoria, and will relocate to Houston at the end of the year. The historic appointment comes as Black Lives Matter protests help shed light on Indigenous rights movements in Australia and around the world.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“Being the first Aboriginal person to hold the position of an Australian consul-general comes with a huge weight of responsibility but then also a sense of achievement,” Mr. Saulo said. He’s looking forward to “being able to share my culture in the U.S. and connect with other Indigenous people and highlight ... the global Indigenous economy.”
SBS Australia, ABC


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Parties clash over latest Republican coronavirus relief package

United States Republicans and Democrats faced difficult talks on Tuesday on how best to recover from the coronavirus pandemic , after Republicans unveiled a relief proposal days before millions of Americans lose federal unemployment benefits .
Senate Republicans announced on Monday a $ 1 trillion coronavirus aid package hammered out with the White House , which would slash the current expanded unemployment benefit from the $ 600 per week in addition to state unemployment , which expires on Friday , to $ 200 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell touted the proposal as a `` tailored and targeted '' plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting companies from lawsuits .
The plan sparked immediate opposition from both Democrats and Republicans .
Democrats decried it as too limited , and too late , compared with their $ 3 trillion proposal that passed the House of Representatives in May .
Some Republicans called it too expensive .
The Republican proposal would give many Americans direct payments of $ 1,200 each , provide billions in loans to small businesses , and help schools reopen .
The federal supplemental unemployment benefit has been a financial lifeline for laid-off workers and a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced the cuts as draconian when millions of Americans can not return to shuttered workplaces .
Many Republicans insist the high unemployment payout encourages Americans to stay home rather than go back to work .
Their proposal would put the $ 200 weekly supplemental payment in place until states create a system to provide a 70 % wage replacement for laid-off workers .
Democrats said the $ 200 suggestion is insufficient and would damage the economy , and scoffed at suggestions that people would rather stay home .
`` People want to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have jobs to do it .
We 're not going to let them starve while that happens , '' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a Senate speech criticizing Republicans .
`` Let 's get something done .
America desperately needs our help , '' he said .
Mr. Schumer and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are due to meet later on Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , after a session on Monday evening .
The partisan dispute comes as U.S. coronavirus cases have passed 4.3 million , with nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tens of millions out of work .
The Democratic-led House in May passed its $ 3 trillion coronavirus relief bill known as the `` HEROES Act , '' but the Republican-led Senate refused to consider it .
Mr. McConnell acknowledged that the Republican `` HEALS Act '' was just a starting point for negotiations that would need bipartisan support to become law .
In his remarks opening the Senate on Tuesday , Mr. McConnell accused Democrats of risking Americans ' well-being amid the health and economic crisis by playing politics .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I would frankly dare my Democratic colleagues to actually say they oppose , '' Mr. McConnell said .
This story was reported by Reuters .
Reuters writers Susan Cornwell and Lisa Lambert contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

United States Republicans and Democrats faced difficult talks on Tuesday on how best to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, after Republicans unveiled a relief proposal days before millions of Americans lose federal unemployment benefits.
Senate Republicans announced on Monday a $1 trillion coronavirus aid package hammered out with the White House, which would slash the current expanded unemployment benefit from the $600 per week in addition to state unemployment, which expires on Friday, to $200.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell touted the proposal as a "tailored and targeted" plan to reopen schools and businesses, while protecting companies from lawsuits.
The plan sparked immediate opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats decried it as too limited, and too late, compared with their $3 trillion proposal that passed the House of Representatives in May.
Some Republicans called it too expensive.
The Republican proposal would give many Americans direct payments of $1,200 each, provide billions in loans to small businesses, and help schools reopen.
The federal supplemental unemployment benefit has been a financial lifeline for laid-off workers and a key support for consumer spending. Democrats quickly denounced the cuts as draconian when millions of Americans cannot return to shuttered workplaces.
Many Republicans insist the high unemployment payout encourages Americans to stay home rather than go back to work. Their proposal would put the $200 weekly supplemental payment in place until states create a system to provide a 70% wage replacement for laid-off workers.
Democrats said the $200 suggestion is insufficient and would damage the economy, and scoffed at suggestions that people would rather stay home.
"People want to work, Republican friends. They just don't have jobs to do it. We're not going to let them starve while that happens," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a Senate speech criticizing Republicans.
"Let's get something done. America desperately needs our help," he said.
Mr. Schumer and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are due to meet later on Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, after a session on Monday evening.
The partisan dispute comes as U.S. coronavirus cases have passed 4.3 million, with nearly 150,000 people killed in the country, and tens of millions out of work.
The Democratic-led House in May passed its $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill known as the "HEROES Act," but the Republican-led Senate refused to consider it.
Mr. McConnell acknowledged that the Republican "HEALS Act" was just a starting point for negotiations that would need bipartisan support to become law.
In his remarks opening the Senate on Tuesday, Mr. McConnell accused Democrats of risking Americans' well-being amid the health and economic crisis by playing politics.
"The HEALS Act is full of provisions that I would frankly dare my Democratic colleagues to actually say they oppose," Mr. McConnell said.
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This story was reported by Reuters. Reuters writers Susan Cornwell and Lisa Lambert contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Malaysia upends its malaise on corruption

Just three years ago , fewer than half of people in Malaysia said it is socially acceptable to report corruption , according to a poll .
This dismal view was reinforced by the fact that about a quarter of Malaysians regularly paid bribes for basic public services .
My , how attitudes have shifted in the Southeast Asian nation of 32 million .
On Tuesday , former Prime Minister Najib Razak became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted of corruption .
He faces 12 years in prison for looting a government fund known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad while in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , the 1MDB scandal so angered voters in 2018 that they kicked out both Mr. Najib and his ruling party , the United Malays National Organization .
The party had governed the country for 61 years since independence from Britain .
After the historic first transfer of power two years ago , Malaysia ’ s new leaders started remarkable reforms , driven by the public ’ s rising demands for clean governance .
They created an anti-corruption agency and set a five-year goal to raise the integrity of civil servants and elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , must publicly declare their personal assets . )
More than 1,230 people were arrested on corruption charges .
One particular goal was bolstered by Tuesday ’ s court ruling : ensuring the accountability and credibility of judges and prosecutors .
By the end of last year , Malaysia ’ s ranking in a global corruption index greatly improved after five years of deterioration .
If the anti-corruption reforms stick in the country ’ s often messy politics , Malaysia could quickly achieve the status of a developed country with an advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in the legal system ’ s ability to root out financial crime .
After Mr. Najib ’ s conviction , the lead prosecutor in the case said the ruling serves “ as a precedent for all in public office that no one is above the law.
” That notion of equality has been a long time coming in Malaysia .
The country still openly discriminates against its ethnic and religious minorities in granting access to government benefits .
Such favoritism for the majority Malay people must eventually end .
In the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have shown how an embrace of equal justice under the law can begin to shred a corrupt past .

Just three years ago, fewer than half of people in Malaysia said it is socially acceptable to report corruption, according to a poll. This dismal view was reinforced by the fact that about a quarter of Malaysians regularly paid bribes for basic public services.
My, how attitudes have shifted in the Southeast Asian nation of 32 million.
On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Najib Razak became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted of corruption. He faces 12 years in prison for looting a government fund known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad while in office from 2009 to 2018. In fact, the 1MDB scandal so angered voters in 2018 that they kicked out both Mr. Najib and his ruling party, the United Malays National Organization. The party had governed the country for 61 years since independence from Britain.
After the historic first transfer of power two years ago, Malaysia’s new leaders started remarkable reforms, driven by the public’s rising demands for clean governance. They created an anti-corruption agency and set a five-year goal to raise the integrity of civil servants and elected officials. (The latter, for example, must publicly declare their personal assets.) More than 1,230 people were arrested on corruption charges. One particular goal was bolstered by Tuesday’s court ruling: ensuring the accountability and credibility of judges and prosecutors.
By the end of last year, Malaysia’s ranking in a global corruption index greatly improved after five years of deterioration. If the anti-corruption reforms stick in the country’s often messy politics, Malaysia could quickly achieve the status of a developed country with an advanced economy. Foreign investors would have more confidence in the legal system’s ability to root out financial crime.
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After Mr. Najib’s conviction, the lead prosecutor in the case said the ruling serves “as a precedent for all in public office that no one is above the law.” That notion of equality has been a long time coming in Malaysia. The country still openly discriminates against its ethnic and religious minorities in granting access to government benefits. Such favoritism for the majority Malay people must eventually end.
In the meantime, the people and their new leaders have shown how an embrace of equal justice under the law can begin to shred a corrupt past.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Feds unwelcome, say 6 mayors in petition to block their presence

The mayors of Portland , Oregon , and five other major U.S. cities appealed Monday to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don ’ t want them .
“ This administration ’ s egregious use of federal force on cities over the objections of local authorities should never happen , ” the mayors of Portland ; Seattle ; Chicago ; Kansas City ; Albuquerque , New Mexico ; and Washington wrote to leaders of the United States House and Senate .
Video from early Tuesday showed law enforcement officers filling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several loud booms could be heard .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty late called for a meeting with Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss a cease-fire and removal of heightened federal forces from Portland .
Earlier in the day , a U.S. official said militarized officers would remain in Portland until attacks on a federal courthouse cease – and more officers may soon be on the way .
“ It is not a solution to tell federal officers to leave when there continues to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said .
” We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so.
” Local and state officials said the federal officers are unwelcome .
The city has had nightly protests for two months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May .
President Donald Trump said he sent federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest , but state and local officials said they are making the situation worse .
Mr. Trump ’ s deployment of the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter movement .
The number of nightly protesters had dwindled to perhaps less than 100 right before the deployment , and now has swelled to the thousands .
Early Monday , U.S. agents repeatedly fired tear gas , flash bangs , and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland .
Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse , while others shot fireworks , banged on the fence , and projected lights on the building .
Mr. Trump said on Twitter that federal properties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day ” without the presence of the federal agents .
The majority of people participating in the daily demonstrations have been peaceful .
But a few have been pelting officers with objects and trying to tear down fencing protecting the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse .
Mr. Williams , whose office is inside the courthouse , called on peaceful protesters , community and business leaders , and people of faith to not allow violence to occur in their presence and to leave downtown before violence starts .
He said federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of racial justice and police reform in other cities around the U.S. were marred by violence over the weekend .
Protesters set fire to an Oakland , California , courthouse ; vehicles were set ablaze in Richmond , Virginia ; an armed protester was shot and killed in Austin , Texas ; and two people were shot and wounded in Aurora , Colorado , after a car drove through a protest .
The U.S .
Marshals Service has lined up about 100 people they could send to hotspots , either to strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for weeks , agency spokesperson Drew Wade said .
Kris Cline , principal deputy director of Federal Protective Service , said an incident commander in Portland and teams from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice discuss what force is needed every night .
Mr. Cline refused to discuss the number of officers currently present or if more would be arriving .
Some protesters have accused Mr. Wheeler of hypocrisy for speaking out against the federal presence because , under his watch , Portland police have used tear gas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful ones .
Mr. Cline said Portland police should take over the job of dispersing protesters from the courthouse area from the federal officers .
“ If the Portland Police Bureau were able to do what they typically do , they would be able to clear this out for this disturbance and we would leave our officers inside the building and not be visible , ” Mr. Cline said .
He said relations between the federal officers , some of whom live in Portland , and city police were good .
Portland police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a park close to the site of the protests .
Two people were detained and later released , police said .
The person who was shot went to the hospital in a private vehicle and was treated for a non-life-threatening wound .
Also late Sunday , police said someone pointed out a bag in the same park , where officers found loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails .
The shooting was not related to the items , police said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Mike Balsamo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The mayors of Portland, Oregon, and five other major U.S. cities appealed Monday to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don’t want them.
“This administration’s egregious use of federal force on cities over the objections of local authorities should never happen,” the mayors of Portland; Seattle; Chicago; Kansas City; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Washington wrote to leaders of the United States House and Senate.
Video from early Tuesday showed law enforcement officers filling a street with gas to disperse protesters. Several loud booms could be heard.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty late called for a meeting with Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss a cease-fire and removal of heightened federal forces from Portland.
Earlier in the day, a U.S. official said militarized officers would remain in Portland until attacks on a federal courthouse cease – and more officers may soon be on the way.
“It is not a solution to tell federal officers to leave when there continues to be attacks on federal property and personnel,” U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said. ”We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so.”
Local and state officials said the federal officers are unwelcome.
The city has had nightly protests for two months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. President Donald Trump said he sent federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest, but state and local officials said they are making the situation worse.
Mr. Trump’s deployment of the federal officers over the July 4 weekend stoked the Black Lives Matter movement. The number of nightly protesters had dwindled to perhaps less than 100 right before the deployment, and now has swelled to the thousands.
Early Monday, U.S. agents repeatedly fired tear gas, flash bangs, and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland. Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse, while others shot fireworks, banged on the fence, and projected lights on the building.
Mr. Trump said on Twitter that federal properties in Portland “wouldn’t last a day” without the presence of the federal agents.
The majority of people participating in the daily demonstrations have been peaceful. But a few have been pelting officers with objects and trying to tear down fencing protecting the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse.
Mr. Williams, whose office is inside the courthouse, called on peaceful protesters, community and business leaders, and people of faith to not allow violence to occur in their presence and to leave downtown before violence starts. He said federal agents have made 83 arrests.
Demonstrations in support of racial justice and police reform in other cities around the U.S. were marred by violence over the weekend. Protesters set fire to an Oakland, California, courthouse; vehicles were set ablaze in Richmond, Virginia; an armed protester was shot and killed in Austin, Texas; and two people were shot and wounded in Aurora, Colorado, after a car drove through a protest.
The U.S. Marshals Service has lined up about 100 people they could send to hotspots, either to strengthen forces or relieve officers who have been working for weeks, agency spokesperson Drew Wade said.
Kris Cline, principal deputy director of Federal Protective Service, said an incident commander in Portland and teams from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice discuss what force is needed every night.
Mr. Cline refused to discuss the number of officers currently present or if more would be arriving.
Some protesters have accused Mr. Wheeler of hypocrisy for speaking out against the federal presence because, under his watch, Portland police have used tear gas and other riot-control weapons on protesters, including peaceful ones.
Mr. Cline said Portland police should take over the job of dispersing protesters from the courthouse area from the federal officers.
“If the Portland Police Bureau were able to do what they typically do, they would be able to clear this out for this disturbance and we would leave our officers inside the building and not be visible,” Mr. Cline said.
He said relations between the federal officers, some of whom live in Portland, and city police were good.
Portland police responded Sunday evening to a shooting at a park close to the site of the protests. Two people were detained and later released, police said. The person who was shot went to the hospital in a private vehicle and was treated for a non-life-threatening wound.
Also late Sunday, police said someone pointed out a bag in the same park, where officers found loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails. The shooting was not related to the items, police said.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Mike Balsamo contributed to this report from Washington.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Malaysia court finds ex-PM guilty of fraud. Will he go to jail?

A Malaysian court sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve 12 years in prison on Tuesday after finding him guilty in the first of several corruption trials linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund that brought down his government two years ago .
Mr. Najib was calm and stone-faced as he became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted , in what opposition lawmakers hailed as a victory for the people .
Mr. Najib said he was disappointed with the ruling and vowed to fight to the end .
Judge Mohamad Nazlan Ghazali sentenced Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one count of abuse of power , 10 years each for three counts of criminal breach of trust , and 10 years each for three counts of money laundering , as well as a fine of 210 million ringgit ( $ 49.4 million ) .
But he ordered the sentences to run concurrently , meaning that Mr. Najib will face only up to 12 years in jail .
The judge allowed a stay of the jail sentence and fine pending Mr. Najib 's planned appeal .
But he raised the bail amount and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police twice a month .
“ This is definitely not the end of the world , because there is a process of appeal , ” Mr. Najib told a news conference after the sentencing .
“ As to my supporters , I hope they will continue to believe in me and believe in our struggle.
” Mr. Najib 's father and uncle were Malaysia 's second and third prime ministers .
Shortly after he took office in 2009 , he set up 1MDB to ostensibly accelerate Malaysia 's economic development .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. investigators allege that at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from it and laundered by Mr. Najib 's associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels , a luxury yacht , artwork , jewelry , and other extravagances .
More than $ 700 million from the fund allegedly landed in Mr. Najib 's bank accounts .
The judge read out an elaborate two-hour ruling that convicted Mr. Najib of all seven charges .
The judge said the sentence was `` appropriate and proportionate '' taking into account that Mr. Najib had committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust '' as prime minister , his final plea , and the need to deter others from committing the same crime .
The ruling in the first of his five corruption trials came five months after Mr. Najib 's Malay party returned to government as the biggest bloc in an alliance that took power from the reformist government that ousted Mr. Najib 's in 2018 elections .
Analysts said the ruling would bolster the prosecution 's case in Mr. Najib 's other trials and would signal to the business community that Malaysia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial crimes .
But others cautioned the ruling could be overturned as his political party remains in office .
Prosecutors earlier said the case had tarnished the country as a kleptocracy and sought a sentence that would remind those in high public office that `` no one is above the law . ''
Mr. Najib asked the court to take into account his achievements during his nine-year tenure and gave an oath that he was n't aware of the 42 million ringgit ( $ 9.8 million ) channeled into his bank accounts from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1MDB .
Some of Mr. Najib 's supporters outside the courthouse cried when they learned of the verdict while others chanted `` free bossku '' and `` long live bossku . ''
The nickname meaning `` my boss '' was coined for Mr. Najib in his social media campaign to reinvent himself as a working-class leader .
Mr. Najib , who faces a total of 42 charges in five separate trials , has said he was misled by rogue bankers and the case against him is political .
`` The conviction would serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ensuing 1MDB-related trials , '' said Oh Ei Sun , a senior fellow with Singapore 's Institute of International Affairs .
Mr. Oh said the ruling also would strengthen the credibility of current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin , even though he now relies on Mr. Najib 's party for support .
Mr. Muhyiddin was fired as Mr. Najib 's deputy exactly five years ago for speaking out on the 1MDB scandal .
Mr. Najib 's party is the biggest bloc in the current Malay nationalist alliance that has governed since March with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ruling was `` absolutely '' good for Malaysia , said analyst Bridget Welsh , honorary research associate with the University of Nottingham Malaysia .
`` I think that there is a sense of euphoria among the citizens that justice is being served , among the majority of Malaysians , '' Ms. Welsh said .
`` Keep in mind that majority of Malaysians voted [ in 2018 ] for political change , and the 1MDB case was a catalyst in that .
The 1MDB case damaged Malaysia 's reputation , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr. Muhyiddin said his government respected the ruling and Mr. Najib 's right to appeal .
“ Let us give space for the legal process to take place to ensure that justice is served , ” he said in a statement .
During the trial , Mr. Najib was accused of using his position to receive a bribe for approving a government guarantee for billions in loans to SRC , committing criminal breach of trust , and accepting proceeds from unlawful activities .
Evidence showed a complex trail of ill-gotten money paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases including a Chanel watch bought in Hawaii as a birthday gift for his wife , and disbursements to political parties .
The judge agreed with prosecutors on Tuesday that Mr. Najib had `` overarching control '' of SRC and failed to rebut allegations that he misappropriated money for his own use .
The judge said the defense 's argument that Mr. Najib , as prime minister , was duped by rogue bankers led by Malaysian fugitive financier Low Taek Jho was `` too far-fetched '' as the two had a close relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mastermind behind the looting of 1MDB and he remains at large .
Mr. Najib testified he assumed the money was part of a donation by the Saudi royal family arranged by Mr. Low as a guise to keep Mr. Najib from being suspicious of his plundering of the 1MDB fund .
The judge debunked that argument in the guilty verdict , finding it an `` elaborate but weak fabrication . ''
Mr. Najib 's second and third trials involving some of the remaining charges are ongoing .
His wife and several officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been charged with graft related to 1MDB corruption .
`` People should not really be celebrating now ... we know in Malaysia , many of these politically charged cases , once they get to the appeals court , they get reversed , '' said James Chin , professor of Asian studies at Australia 's University of Tasmania .
`` So the fact that we have today 's guilty verdict does n't mean things will change .
Najib will still remain an MP [ member of parliament ] and we have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Chin added .
Prosecutors said they expect the appeals process to be completed within a year .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

A Malaysian court sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve 12 years in prison on Tuesday after finding him guilty in the first of several corruption trials linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund that brought down his government two years ago.
Mr. Najib was calm and stone-faced as he became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted, in what opposition lawmakers hailed as a victory for the people. Mr. Najib said he was disappointed with the ruling and vowed to fight to the end.
Judge Mohamad Nazlan Ghazali sentenced Mr. Najib to 12 years in jail on one count of abuse of power, 10 years each for three counts of criminal breach of trust, and 10 years each for three counts of money laundering, as well as a fine of 210 million ringgit ($49.4 million). But he ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning that Mr. Najib will face only up to 12 years in jail.
The judge allowed a stay of the jail sentence and fine pending Mr. Najib's planned appeal. But he raised the bail amount and ordered Mr. Najib to report to the police twice a month.
“This is definitely not the end of the world, because there is a process of appeal,” Mr. Najib told a news conference after the sentencing. “As to my supporters, I hope they will continue to believe in me and believe in our struggle.”
Mr. Najib's father and uncle were Malaysia's second and third prime ministers. Shortly after he took office in 2009, he set up 1MDB to ostensibly accelerate Malaysia's economic development.
But the fund accumulated billions in debt, and U.S. investigators allege that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from it and laundered by Mr. Najib's associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, artwork, jewelry, and other extravagances. More than $700 million from the fund allegedly landed in Mr. Najib's bank accounts.
The judge read out an elaborate two-hour ruling that convicted Mr. Najib of all seven charges.
The judge said the sentence was "appropriate and proportionate" taking into account that Mr. Najib had committed the crime from a "position of trust" as prime minister, his final plea, and the need to deter others from committing the same crime.
The ruling in the first of his five corruption trials came five months after Mr. Najib's Malay party returned to government as the biggest bloc in an alliance that took power from the reformist government that ousted Mr. Najib's in 2018 elections.
Analysts said the ruling would bolster the prosecution's case in Mr. Najib's other trials and would signal to the business community that Malaysia's legal system has strength in tackling international financial crimes. But others cautioned the ruling could be overturned as his political party remains in office.
Prosecutors earlier said the case had tarnished the country as a kleptocracy and sought a sentence that would remind those in high public office that "no one is above the law."
Mr. Najib asked the court to take into account his achievements during his nine-year tenure and gave an oath that he wasn't aware of the 42 million ringgit ($9.8 million) channeled into his bank accounts from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB.
Some of Mr. Najib's supporters outside the courthouse cried when they learned of the verdict while others chanted "free bossku" and "long live bossku." The nickname meaning "my boss" was coined for Mr. Najib in his social media campaign to reinvent himself as a working-class leader.
Mr. Najib, who faces a total of 42 charges in five separate trials, has said he was misled by rogue bankers and the case against him is political.
"The conviction would serve as a solid foundation for the prosecution in ensuing 1MDB-related trials," said Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with Singapore's Institute of International Affairs.
Mr. Oh said the ruling also would strengthen the credibility of current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, even though he now relies on Mr. Najib's party for support. Mr. Muhyiddin was fired as Mr. Najib's deputy exactly five years ago for speaking out on the 1MDB scandal.
Mr. Najib's party is the biggest bloc in the current Malay nationalist alliance that has governed since March with a shaky, wafer-thin majority in parliament.
The ruling was "absolutely" good for Malaysia, said analyst Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate with the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
"I think that there is a sense of euphoria among the citizens that justice is being served, among the majority of Malaysians," Ms. Welsh said. "Keep in mind that majority of Malaysians voted [in 2018] for political change, and the 1MDB case was a catalyst in that. The 1MDB case damaged Malaysia's reputation, and I think today worked toward restoring that."
Mr. Muhyiddin said his government respected the ruling and Mr. Najib's right to appeal. “Let us give space for the legal process to take place to ensure that justice is served,” he said in a statement.
During the trial, Mr. Najib was accused of using his position to receive a bribe for approving a government guarantee for billions in loans to SRC, committing criminal breach of trust, and accepting proceeds from unlawful activities.
Evidence showed a complex trail of ill-gotten money paid for his home renovation, credit card purchases including a Chanel watch bought in Hawaii as a birthday gift for his wife, and disbursements to political parties.
The judge agreed with prosecutors on Tuesday that Mr. Najib had "overarching control" of SRC and failed to rebut allegations that he misappropriated money for his own use.
The judge said the defense's argument that Mr. Najib, as prime minister, was duped by rogue bankers led by Malaysian fugitive financier Low Taek Jho was "too far-fetched" as the two had a close relationship. Investigators have identified Mr. Low as the mastermind behind the looting of 1MDB and he remains at large.
Mr. Najib testified he assumed the money was part of a donation by the Saudi royal family arranged by Mr. Low as a guise to keep Mr. Najib from being suspicious of his plundering of the 1MDB fund. The judge debunked that argument in the guilty verdict, finding it an "elaborate but weak fabrication."
Mr. Najib's second and third trials involving some of the remaining charges are ongoing. His wife and several officials from his party and previous government have also been charged with graft related to 1MDB corruption.
"People should not really be celebrating now ... we know in Malaysia, many of these politically charged cases, once they get to the appeals court, they get reversed," said James Chin, professor of Asian studies at Australia's University of Tasmania.
"So the fact that we have today's guilty verdict doesn't mean things will change. Najib will still remain an MP [member of parliament] and we have to wait for the appeal court system," Mr. Chin added.
Prosecutors said they expect the appeals process to be completed within a year.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Will stores forgo the most profitable – and crowded – holidays?

Target is joining Walmart in closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day , ending a decade-long tradition of jump-starting Black Friday door buster sales .
The move , announced Monday , comes as stores are rethinking this year ’ s Black Friday shopping bonanza weekend – along with other key retail days during the holiday season – as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic .
Stores always depended on big holiday crowds and work as much as a year in advance with manufacturers on securing exclusive items .
Now , the virus has turned the holiday shopping model upside down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anathema .
With fears of a wave of virus cases in the fall , the biggest nightmare would be if retailers had to reclose during the most critical time of the year , analysts said .
“ Historically , deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events , and this isn ’ t a year for crowds , ” Minneapolis-based Target said in a corporate blog posted .
It said its holiday deals would come earlier than ever – starting in October .
Walmart , the nation ’ s largest retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Target opened for the first time on Thanksgiving in 2011 , joining other stores in starting Black Friday sales a day early and creating a new tradition of shoppers heading out to the stores after their turkey feast .
Many retailers did so because they were trying to better compete with Amazon and other online players .
But sales ended up eating into Black Friday and many critics lambasted stores for not honoring the holiday and allowing their workers to spend it with family .
In response to the backlash and also poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomington , Minnesota-based Mall of America , reversed course and have not opened on Thanksgiving in recent years .
Costco and Nordstrom among others have always remained closed on Thanksgiving , noting they want to respect the holiday .
The bigger question still looms on how to handle Black Friday itself , which also draws huge crowds – and sales .
Despite competition from Thanksgiving shopping , Black Friday ranks as either the top or No .
2 sales day of the year .
Thanksgiving is not even in the top 10 because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day ranked third in online shopping behind Cyber Monday and Black Friday respectively last year , according to Adobe Analytics , which tracks online sales for 80 of the top 100 retailers .
Walmart and Target declined to comment on their plans for Black Friday , but analysts say they believe that the retailers will pivot their business more online and focus on limiting the number of shoppers in stores .
Like Target , other retailers will also likely start holiday sales even earlier to stretch out crowds .
Macy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the department store will be pivoting its Black Friday business more toward online and will likely be going “ full force ” with holiday marketing right after Halloween .
It also will be staggering events to reduce customer traffic in the store .
Still , pushing sales further online will likely be more costly for retailers because of shipping expenses .
And while many stores like Macy ’ s will ramp up curbside pickup for the first time this holiday season , that strategy will create logistical challenges to meet shoppers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research Inc. , said that the profit margins retailers get on their online sales are anywhere from 50 % to 80 % of what they get when the same item is bought in the store .
“ This is going to be a very tough holiday season in terms of where sales are going to come from , ” said Joel Rampoldt , a managing director in the retail practice at AlixPartners .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Target is joining Walmart in closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day, ending a decade-long tradition of jump-starting Black Friday door buster sales.
The move, announced Monday, comes as stores are rethinking this year’s Black Friday shopping bonanza weekend – along with other key retail days during the holiday season – as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.
Stores always depended on big holiday crowds and work as much as a year in advance with manufacturers on securing exclusive items. Now, the virus has turned the holiday shopping model upside down. Stores have slashed orders and crowds are an anathema. With fears of a wave of virus cases in the fall, the biggest nightmare would be if retailers had to reclose during the most critical time of the year, analysts said.
“Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events, and this isn’t a year for crowds,” Minneapolis-based Target said in a corporate blog posted. It said its holiday deals would come earlier than ever – starting in October.
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, announced its move last week.
Target opened for the first time on Thanksgiving in 2011, joining other stores in starting Black Friday sales a day early and creating a new tradition of shoppers heading out to the stores after their turkey feast. Many retailers did so because they were trying to better compete with Amazon and other online players.
But sales ended up eating into Black Friday and many critics lambasted stores for not honoring the holiday and allowing their workers to spend it with family. In response to the backlash and also poor sales, some stores and malls like Bloomington, Minnesota-based Mall of America, reversed course and have not opened on Thanksgiving in recent years. Costco and Nordstrom among others have always remained closed on Thanksgiving, noting they want to respect the holiday.
The bigger question still looms on how to handle Black Friday itself, which also draws huge crowds – and sales. Despite competition from Thanksgiving shopping, Black Friday ranks as either the top or No. 2 sales day of the year.
Thanksgiving is not even in the top 10 because sales start around 5 p.m. But the day ranked third in online shopping behind Cyber Monday and Black Friday respectively last year, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online sales for 80 of the top 100 retailers.
Walmart and Target declined to comment on their plans for Black Friday, but analysts say they believe that the retailers will pivot their business more online and focus on limiting the number of shoppers in stores. Like Target, other retailers will also likely start holiday sales even earlier to stretch out crowds.
Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette said earlier this month that the department store will be pivoting its Black Friday business more toward online and will likely be going “full force” with holiday marketing right after Halloween. It also will be staggering events to reduce customer traffic in the store.
Still, pushing sales further online will likely be more costly for retailers because of shipping expenses. And while many stores like Macy’s will ramp up curbside pickup for the first time this holiday season, that strategy will create logistical challenges to meet shoppers’ holiday demands.
Sucharita Kodali, an e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research Inc., said that the profit margins retailers get on their online sales are anywhere from 50% to 80% of what they get when the same item is bought in the store.
“This is going to be a very tough holiday season in terms of where sales are going to come from,” said Joel Rampoldt, a managing director in the retail practice at AlixPartners.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-28--As pandemic halted much of the world, scientists shifted gears

At the same time , the virus has prompted laboratories around the world to build new collaborations , to widen the scope of their studies , to amass more critical data , and to check each other ’ s work .
Science continues its steady march , even if it doesn ’ t always look that way .
Except that it ’ s happening a lot faster .
And with a lot more public scrutiny .
To meet demand for public understanding of the virus , many scientists have turned to preprint servers , which post manuscripts online without peer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their peer-review process from weeks to days .
But , as the process speeds up , some results based on small datasets or other unreliable work have sneaked into the public discourse .
Any nonscientist looking at the snarl of studies and retractions available online would be forgiven for thinking that scientists studying the virus are perpetually contradicting themselves .
But to the scientist , this is business as usual .
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused the public ’ s attention on the scientific method like never before .
And , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chaotic mess .
As COVID-19 spread around the globe , public-health experts and policymakers hustled to get on the case .
But that pressure for speedy scientific results has also led to confusion .
Some findings seemed to contradict one another , and others have been swiftly retracted or amended .
To nonscientists , this may seem like a bumbling approach , but it actually fits within the scientific process .
It ’ s just been thrust into the public view in an unprecedented manner .
Understanding how that process works could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research papers .
Why can ’ t we get answers more quickly ?
Discoveries are often depicted as instantaneous , but research rarely works that way in real life .
Most of the time , science is an incremental process of amassing information over repeated studies to slowly move toward a greater understanding .
Rather than yielding sure answers , it ’ s about reducing uncertainty .
That means one study by itself offers little surety .
The key to producing sound results is replication .
If an experiment can be repeated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still , repeated by different researchers , that adds confidence .
Amid too little data , small inconsistencies can seem much more significant than they really are .
Getting all the relevant facts takes time .
How does the scientific publication process usually work ?
Typically , researchers submit a manuscript to a scientific journal where it is vetted by experts in the field who evaluate the study from top to bottom before it is accepted for publication .
That process , called peer review , can take several weeks and helps prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also fosters a sense of reliability .
But with the sense of urgency in the quest for answers around the coronavirus crisis , traditional journals have sped up the peer review process to just days , in some cases .
And many researchers are skipping it altogether , turning to websites that post manuscripts online without peer review , called “ preprint servers.
” Servers like bioRxiv and medRxiv have published more than 7,000 studies on the coronavirus alone .
Preprint servers allow findings to be shared rapidly and widely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those results quickly .
But without the vetting process of peer review , some results based on insufficient data or faulty instruments have made a public splash prematurely .
For example , in 2011 a study was posted to the popular preprint server arXiv that made a startling claim : that neutrino particles had been observed moving faster than the speed of light .
The study , understandably , made headlines globally .
Physicists were intensely skeptical .
And the following year , the research team itself reported possible timing problems with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem like the neutrinos were traveling at the speed of light when they were , in fact , not .
Another team also tried to replicate the results and clocked neutrinos at just shy of the speed of light .
( Scientists now suspect the initial measurement arose from a bad connection between a GPS and a computer . )
What impact has this had on our understanding of the pandemic ?
With the surge in preprints about the novel coronavirus , many highly speculative claims have sneaked through and into the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean that the research isn ’ t being reviewed .
Rather , that process is now happening more casually and more publicly – on online forums and social media .
And , because the heated academic debate has been thrust into the public view , it may be jarring to nonscientists who are looking for experts to trust .
But as the pandemic wears on and the papers pile up , progress is being made in the slog toward less and less uncertainty .
Researchers have built collaborations among laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of studies , amass more critical data , and check each other ’ s work .
Science continues its steady march , even if it doesn ’ t always look that way .

At the same time, the virus has prompted laboratories around the world to build new collaborations, to widen the scope of their studies, to amass more critical data, and to check each other’s work. Science continues its steady march, even if it doesn’t always look that way.
Except that it’s happening a lot faster. And with a lot more public scrutiny. To meet demand for public understanding of the virus, many scientists have turned to preprint servers, which post manuscripts online without peer review. Other publishers have sped up their peer-review process from weeks to days. But, as the process speeds up, some results based on small datasets or other unreliable work have sneaked into the public discourse.
Why does the scientific method sometimes look so messy? In some ways, it’s that very messiness that makes science work.
Any nonscientist looking at the snarl of studies and retractions available online would be forgiven for thinking that scientists studying the virus are perpetually contradicting themselves. But to the scientist, this is business as usual.
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused the public’s attention on the scientific method like never before. And, to the outsider, it looks like a haphazard and chaotic mess.
As COVID-19 spread around the globe, public-health experts and policymakers hustled to get on the case. But that pressure for speedy scientific results has also led to confusion.
Some findings seemed to contradict one another, and others have been swiftly retracted or amended. To nonscientists, this may seem like a bumbling approach, but it actually fits within the scientific process. It’s just been thrust into the public view in an unprecedented manner. Understanding how that process works could help us untangle the snarl of coronavirus research papers.
Why can’t we get answers more quickly?
Why We Wrote This Why does the scientific method sometimes look so messy? In some ways, it’s that very messiness that makes science work.
Discoveries are often depicted as instantaneous, but research rarely works that way in real life. Most of the time, science is an incremental process of amassing information over repeated studies to slowly move toward a greater understanding. Rather than yielding sure answers, it’s about reducing uncertainty.
That means one study by itself offers little surety. The key to producing sound results is replication. If an experiment can be repeated with the same conclusions, and, better still, repeated by different researchers, that adds confidence. Amid too little data, small inconsistencies can seem much more significant than they really are. Getting all the relevant facts takes time.
How does the scientific publication process usually work?
Typically, researchers submit a manuscript to a scientific journal where it is vetted by experts in the field who evaluate the study from top to bottom before it is accepted for publication. That process, called peer review, can take several weeks and helps prevent misleading or erroneous results from being released. It also fosters a sense of reliability.
But with the sense of urgency in the quest for answers around the coronavirus crisis, traditional journals have sped up the peer review process to just days, in some cases. And many researchers are skipping it altogether, turning to websites that post manuscripts online without peer review, called “preprint servers.” Servers like bioRxiv and medRxiv have published more than 7,000 studies on the coronavirus alone.
Preprint servers allow findings to be shared rapidly and widely, so policymakers and others can respond to those results quickly. But without the vetting process of peer review, some results based on insufficient data or faulty instruments have made a public splash prematurely.
For example, in 2011 a study was posted to the popular preprint server arXiv that made a startling claim: that neutrino particles had been observed moving faster than the speed of light. The study, understandably, made headlines globally. Physicists were intensely skeptical. And the following year, the research team itself reported possible timing problems with their original measurements that could have made it seem like the neutrinos were traveling at the speed of light when they were, in fact, not. Another team also tried to replicate the results and clocked neutrinos at just shy of the speed of light. (Scientists now suspect the initial measurement arose from a bad connection between a GPS and a computer.)
What impact has this had on our understanding of the pandemic?
With the surge in preprints about the novel coronavirus, many highly speculative claims have sneaked through and into the public discourse.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
The surge in preprint publications doesn’t mean that the research isn’t being reviewed. Rather, that process is now happening more casually and more publicly – on online forums and social media. And, because the heated academic debate has been thrust into the public view, it may be jarring to nonscientists who are looking for experts to trust.
But as the pandemic wears on and the papers pile up, progress is being made in the slog toward less and less uncertainty. Researchers have built collaborations among laboratories and across borders to widen the scope of studies, amass more critical data, and check each other’s work. Science continues its steady march, even if it doesn’t always look that way.


csmonitor--2020-07-29--Will there be a third era of American trust-busting?

Americans hunkered down at home early in the COVID-19 pandemic found beef and pork nearly as hard to buy as toilet paper .
The culprit : Outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers caused shutdowns at a handful of huge processing plants , which prompted calls for antitrust investigations from President Donald Trump and lawmakers in both parties .
Just how few companies dominate the U.S. meat industry would not surprise readers of two books offering liberal critiques of the threats posed by economic concentration .
The top four hog producers control two-thirds of the market while four companies control 85 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Dayen , the executive editor of the liberal American Prospect magazine , in “ Monopolized : Life in the Age of Corporate Power.
” Meanwhile , three processors control the sale of almost every chicken in America , points out Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout , at the start of “ Break ‘ Em Up : Recovering Our Freedom from Big AG , Big Tech , and Big Money.
” In June , the Justice Department brought criminal price-fixing charges for pre-pandemic conduct against four poultry executives , including the CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the biggest U.S. chicken producers .
Meat shortages are just one example of why Dayen and Teachout could not have picked a better time to publish books advocating for more aggressive policing of monopolies .
Even before the pandemic , the rising power of Big Tech giants had already made antitrust a mainstream political issue for the first time in nearly a century , one resonating with populists on both the left and right .
On July 29 , members of Congress grilled the CEOs of Amazon , Apple , Facebook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition .
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts promised to break up major technology companies during her presidential bid .
Every week brings new headlines about ongoing antitrust probes by the Justice Department , Federal Trade Commission , and state attorneys general led by Republican Ken Paxton of Texas .
Earlier this month , for example , the Wall Street Journal reported the Federal Trade Commission is considering whether to take sworn testimony from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg .
Dayen and Teachout detail how monopoly power extends well beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and our daily lives , from concert tickets to military contractors and rental houses to funeral homes .
The resulting damage includes the “ murder ” of American journalism as Teachout puts it , middle class wage stagnation , and woefully inadequate rural Wi-Fi .
Teachout , a three-time progressive candidate for elected office in New York , uses particularly colorful language to describe the perpetrators .
She equates Big Tech “ monopoly bosses ” with the mafia and singles out Amazon as “ a vast infrastructure machine with an ambition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country.
” Dayen focuses much of his fury on Wall Street bankers and their legal advisers who , along with executives and shareholders , get rich together off the “ corporate money hose ” of mergers and acquisitions .
Teachout argues that simply adopting an ethos of “ ethical consumerism , ” and boycotting Amazon isn ’ t enough .
What ’ s needed is “ a major , grassroots anti-monopoly movement ” designed to “ radically reshape our economy and democracy in the service of human needs , ” she writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 10 percent of their respective markets , break up Big Tech companies and regulate the pieces as public utilities .
In her epilogue , Teachout lays out her vision of a glorious monopoly-free future in which Google has been cut up into 57 smaller pieces by 2040 .
It is every writer ’ s nightmare to have a book overtaken by events pre-publication , and perhaps one or both of these authors might update their work before the paperback version comes out to reflect the ways the world has changed due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest the big are just getting bigger as consumers flock to the likes of Walmart , Amazon , and Target .
Big Tech companies are taking advantage of the moment , using their cash stockpiles to buy smaller , weaker rivals .
Amazon boasted of hiring 175,000 people due to surging orders and announced plans in June to buy Zoox , a driverless vehicle startup , that could help the company eliminate delivery drivers one day .
Government antitrust enforcers may prove even more willing to allow mergers between giant airlines or hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , if the alternative is letting companies fail altogether .
Or perhaps the pandemic will herald the third great period of trust busting in American history , akin to the Progressive Era and New Deal .
After all , given how this year has gone so far , anything is possible .

Americans hunkered down at home early in the COVID-19 pandemic found beef and pork nearly as hard to buy as toilet paper.
The culprit: Outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers caused shutdowns at a handful of huge processing plants, which prompted calls for antitrust investigations from President Donald Trump and lawmakers in both parties.
Just how few companies dominate the U.S. meat industry would not surprise readers of two books offering liberal critiques of the threats posed by economic concentration.
The top four hog producers control two-thirds of the market while four companies control 85 percent of the beef industry, notes David Dayen, the executive editor of the liberal American Prospect magazine, in “Monopolized: Life in the Age of Corporate Power.”
Meanwhile, three processors control the sale of almost every chicken in America, points out Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout, at the start of “Break ‘Em Up: Recovering Our Freedom from Big AG, Big Tech, and Big Money.” In June, the Justice Department brought criminal price-fixing charges for pre-pandemic conduct against four poultry executives, including the CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the biggest U.S. chicken producers.
Meat shortages are just one example of why Dayen and Teachout could not have picked a better time to publish books advocating for more aggressive policing of monopolies.
Even before the pandemic, the rising power of Big Tech giants had already made antitrust a mainstream political issue for the first time in nearly a century, one resonating with populists on both the left and right. On July 29, members of Congress grilled the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, asking whether they squelched competition.
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts promised to break up major technology companies during her presidential bid.
Every week brings new headlines about ongoing antitrust probes by the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general led by Republican Ken Paxton of Texas. Earlier this month, for example, the Wall Street Journal reported the Federal Trade Commission is considering whether to take sworn testimony from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg.
Dayen and Teachout detail how monopoly power extends well beyond Big Tech into every corner of the economy and our daily lives, from concert tickets to military contractors and rental houses to funeral homes. The resulting damage includes the “murder” of American journalism as Teachout puts it, middle class wage stagnation, and woefully inadequate rural Wi-Fi.
Teachout, a three-time progressive candidate for elected office in New York, uses particularly colorful language to describe the perpetrators. She equates Big Tech “monopoly bosses” with the mafia and singles out Amazon as “a vast infrastructure machine with an ambition to take over the body and soul of the country.”
Dayen focuses much of his fury on Wall Street bankers and their legal advisers who, along with executives and shareholders, get rich together off the “corporate money hose” of mergers and acquisitions.
Teachout argues that simply adopting an ethos of “ethical consumerism,” and boycotting Amazon isn’t enough. What’s needed is “a major, grassroots anti-monopoly movement” designed to “radically reshape our economy and democracy in the service of human needs,” she writes.
Teachout would bar companies from controlling more than 10 percent of their respective markets, break up Big Tech companies and regulate the pieces as public utilities. In her epilogue, Teachout lays out her vision of a glorious monopoly-free future in which Google has been cut up into 57 smaller pieces by 2040.
It is every writer’s nightmare to have a book overtaken by events pre-publication, and perhaps one or both of these authors might update their work before the paperback version comes out to reflect the ways the world has changed due to Covid-19.
All signs so far suggest the big are just getting bigger as consumers flock to the likes of Walmart, Amazon, and Target. Big Tech companies are taking advantage of the moment, using their cash stockpiles to buy smaller, weaker rivals. Amazon boasted of hiring 175,000 people due to surging orders and announced plans in June to buy Zoox, a driverless vehicle startup, that could help the company eliminate delivery drivers one day.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Government antitrust enforcers may prove even more willing to allow mergers between giant airlines or hotel chains suffering from the travel shutdown, for example, if the alternative is letting companies fail altogether.
Or perhaps the pandemic will herald the third great period of trust busting in American history, akin to the Progressive Era and New Deal. After all, given how this year has gone so far, anything is possible.