csmonitor--2020-08-17--Defying expectations: Monitor readers share women who inspired them

When Monitor editors asked readers to identify women who challenged what society said was possible , several thought of Mary Baker Eddy .
We did , too .
The founder of The Church of Christ , Scientist and this newspaper experienced firsthand the massive inequities that confronted 19th-century American women .
None , of course , could vote .
Once they married , women had little or no control over their money , their property , and even their children .
Yet Eddy , born in 1821 , rose above countless barriers – founding the Christian Science Church in 1879 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several religious magazines .
The Monitor made its debut on Nov. 25 , 1908 .
The Boston Herald , in welcoming the new publication , said starting a paper was something that “ usually tests the courage and resources of the bravest ... souls.
” In joining that elite group , Eddy pierced a significant barrier .
But she went further , rejecting the sensational journalism of the day and establishing a new standard for news aimed at credibly uplifting human thinking about the world and advancing humankind .
The object , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , but to bless all mankind.
” Below are some of our readers ’ responses about other women they found noteworthy .
Their replies have been lightly edited for length and clarity .
My friend , Lisa Roy , has consistently defied expectations of what a Black woman can do in a culture where people of color – and especially women of color – are stifled , silenced , and denied opportunities because of bigotry and racism .
We met as teenagers when she was an 18-year-old assistant manager at Häagen-Dazs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has now established herself as a leader in her chosen field , from running nonprofits to fundraising to working in philanthropy for decades to improving educational systems for children .
I know that these are huge accomplishments , but she is also generous , thoughtful , and willing to be a friend to those around her .
A woman to admire indeed .
– Deb Miller , Denver I think of Marty K. Casey , a woman I met through a women ’ s entrepreneur organization .
She founded the nonprofit Show Me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underprivileged children to the arts .
She didn ’ t start out having all she needed and possibly would have been considered an at-risk youth herself .
She has an incredible singing voice and through encouragement she persevered , changed her attitude , and has blessed her community .
– Jenny Grace Morris , St. Louis I became an unwed mother at 19 in 1970 .
After I decided to keep my child , my mother helped me in many ways and gave me the strength I needed .
I was worried about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I grew up in a middle-class family .
In middle school I was told I could be a teacher , nurse , or secretary .
I went on to get a master ’ s degree from one of our country ’ s finest schools , the University of Pennsylvania .
Later , I went on to become a well-paid IT consultant .
Today that female child is an executive .
– Kay Roberts , Medford , New Jersey Tiny , smart , loving , and resilient , my grandmother was widowed with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remarried in World War II , lost her son and second husband to the war , kept her business going despite a radical surgery , and is an icon to me .
My father had only one child , and he raised me to be his son and daughter .
So I often did not see gender barriers , because I did not expect to see them .
I have succeeded because of the love , unbounded by gender discrimination , that these two gave .
– Jill , Manila , Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more like a nomad.
” When I was studying nomadic societies in college , I found their lifestyle so interesting and important for humanity and for the future of our planet .
I told my sister , “ I ’ m going to become more like a nomad.
” I went and learned from nomads in Mongolia , Niger , and now in southern Africa .
In the process , I discovered how to live without property ( an anathema at times for a 40-year-old woman ) .
– Julie Snorek , Hanover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridget Gallagher , was born in 1913 in St. James , Beaver Island , an archipelago of Irish diaspora in the middle of Lake Michigan .
The first of her family of five siblings to leave the island and the only one to gain a college education , she followed my dad , a naval officer , to Long Beach , California , during World War II .
She was hired as a special assistant to the commander of the naval department responsible for the top-secret codes governing fleet movements in the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised three sons and ultimately settled into a newspaper publishing career .
It was quite a career for a woman whose family begged her not to leave the security of their island .
– Gregory P. Smith , Traverse City , Michigan “ Defied social norms for women in the 19th century ” My grandmother , Kate Pellette Siess , was born in 1893 and defied social norms for women in the 19th century .
She was a fisherwoman , well known at a lake in Canada for her big catches .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her sister .
During the Great Depression , she was entering a bank to cash a check when a man with a gun stopped her to rob her of her money .
She told him she had to cash a check and would be back , and left the bank by another door .
– Katie Sue Brown , Fort Wayne , Indiana

When Monitor editors asked readers to identify women who challenged what society said was possible, several thought of Mary Baker Eddy. We did, too.
The founder of The Church of Christ, Scientist and this newspaper experienced firsthand the massive inequities that confronted 19th-century American women. None, of course, could vote. Once they married, women had little or no control over their money, their property, and even their children.
Yet Eddy, born in 1821, rose above countless barriers – founding the Christian Science Church in 1879, publishing 17 books, and starting several religious magazines.
Why We Wrote This In honor of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, we asked readers to share stories of women in their lives who challenged the status quo and rose above what society said was possible for women. Here is a selection of their responses.
The Monitor made its debut on Nov. 25, 1908. The Boston Herald, in welcoming the new publication, said starting a paper was something that “usually tests the courage and resources of the bravest ... souls.” In joining that elite group, Eddy pierced a significant barrier. But she went further, rejecting the sensational journalism of the day and establishing a new standard for news aimed at credibly uplifting human thinking about the world and advancing humankind. The object, she said, was “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.”
Below are some of our readers’ responses about other women they found noteworthy. Their replies have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
“A woman to admire indeed.”
My friend, Lisa Roy, has consistently defied expectations of what a Black woman can do in a culture where people of color – and especially women of color – are stifled, silenced, and denied opportunities because of bigotry and racism. We met as teenagers when she was an 18-year-old assistant manager at Häagen-Dazs, teaching herself to do bookkeeping. She has now established herself as a leader in her chosen field, from running nonprofits to fundraising to working in philanthropy for decades to improving educational systems for children. I know that these are huge accomplishments, but she is also generous, thoughtful, and willing to be a friend to those around her. A woman to admire indeed. – Deb Miller, Denver
“Through encouragement she persevered”
I think of Marty K. Casey, a woman I met through a women’s entrepreneur organization. She founded the nonprofit Show Me Arts Academy in St. Louis to introduce underprivileged children to the arts. She didn’t start out having all she needed and possibly would have been considered an at-risk youth herself. She has an incredible singing voice and through encouragement she persevered, changed her attitude, and has blessed her community. – Jenny Grace Morris, St. Louis
“That female child is an executive.”
I became an unwed mother at 19 in 1970. After I decided to keep my child, my mother helped me in many ways and gave me the strength I needed. I was worried about having the resources I needed, since I grew up in a middle-class family. In middle school I was told I could be a teacher, nurse, or secretary. I went on to get a master’s degree from one of our country’s finest schools, the University of Pennsylvania. Later, I went on to become a well-paid IT consultant. Today that female child is an executive. – Kay Roberts, Medford, New Jersey
“Unbounded by gender discrimination”
Tiny, smart, loving, and resilient, my grandmother was widowed with two small children, worked to support them, remarried in World War II, lost her son and second husband to the war, kept her business going despite a radical surgery, and is an icon to me. My father had only one child, and he raised me to be his son and daughter. So I often did not see gender barriers, because I did not expect to see them. I have succeeded because of the love, unbounded by gender discrimination, that these two gave. – Jill, Manila, Philippines
“I’m going to become more like a nomad.”
When I was studying nomadic societies in college, I found their lifestyle so interesting and important for humanity and for the future of our planet. I told my sister, “I’m going to become more like a nomad.” I went and learned from nomads in Mongolia, Niger, and now in southern Africa. In the process, I discovered how to live without property (an anathema at times for a 40-year-old woman). – Julie Snorek, Hanover, New Hampshire
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“Quite a career”
My mother, Marguerite Bridget Gallagher, was born in 1913 in St. James, Beaver Island, an archipelago of Irish diaspora in the middle of Lake Michigan. The first of her family of five siblings to leave the island and the only one to gain a college education, she followed my dad, a naval officer, to Long Beach, California, during World War II. She was hired as a special assistant to the commander of the naval department responsible for the top-secret codes governing fleet movements in the South Pacific. Following the war, she raised three sons and ultimately settled into a newspaper publishing career. It was quite a career for a woman whose family begged her not to leave the security of their island. – Gregory P. Smith, Traverse City, Michigan
“Defied social norms for women in the 19th century”
My grandmother, Kate Pellette Siess, was born in 1893 and defied social norms for women in the 19th century. She was a fisherwoman, well known at a lake in Canada for her big catches. And she was a ballet dancer in Paris with her sister. During the Great Depression, she was entering a bank to cash a check when a man with a gun stopped her to rob her of her money. She told him she had to cash a check and would be back, and left the bank by another door. – Katie Sue Brown, Fort Wayne, Indiana


csmonitor--2020-08-17--When a crackdown prevented protests, a hashtag gave them a voice

Ahead of planned protests July 31 , the government imposed a new curfew , allegedly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , and began rounding up critics .
Instead , many Zimbabweans have taken to social media to protest .
But the # ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement is also a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of online activism .
Several people have been arrested for social media posts , according to activists , and a cybersecurity bill has raised concerns that room for online dissent could shrink .
Zimbabwe was gripped by an economic crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it happened less than three years after Robert Mugabe was unseated from his 37 years of rule .
New President Emmerson Mnangagwa had promised to open the struggling economy to the world .
But the backslide has continued , along with repression to rival the former regime ’ s .
This is # ZimbabweanLivesMatter , a hashtag gathering strength since late last month , when the Zimbabwean government prevented planned in-person protests over corruption .
And like # BlackLivesMatter , the hashtag has become a megaphone to express grief , anger , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience .
It ’ s a protest movement that feels custom-built for 2020 : online , borderless , and inspired by the # BlackLivesMatter movement ricocheting around the globe .
When Zimbabwean activists began planning mass protests against corruption in mid-July , the country ’ s authorities turned to a familiar playbook to shut down their opposition .
They began rounding up government critics and arrested a prominent journalist , Hopewell Chin ’ ono , who had exposed a corruption scandal around the government ’ s purchase of personal protective equipment for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly to prevent the spread of coronavirus – slid into place , preventing movement after 6 p.m. And on July 30 , a day before the proposed marches , the police warned that participants would “ be regarded as terrorists.
” The next morning , the streets were empty .
Government , it seemed , had won .
But online , it was a different story .
In and outside Zimbabwe , the hashtag # ZimbabweanLivesMatter was gathering strength , first among Zimbabweans airing grievances with their government , and soon , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The key aspect from the # ZimbabweanLivesMatter is that people are finding a safe space online where they can express themselves without the usual violence that they see on the streets , ” says Fadzayi Mahere , a lawyer and activist with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance , who livestreamed her own arrest on July 31 after she posted photos of herself on Twitter staging a small protest in her neighborhood .
( She is now out on bail . )
In many ways , # ZimbabweanLivesMatter feels like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – online , borderless , and in the orbit of the # BlackLivesMatter movement still ricocheting around the globe .
And like # BlackLivesMatter , # ZimbabweanLivesMatter has become a megaphone to express grief , anger , and resistance – and to give those sentiments a global audience .
“ Globally , we have a situation where COVID-19 is highlighting inequalities in societies all around the world , and at the same time the BLM movement is showing the ways in which Black lives are not valued in many different societies , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political analyst .
“ So people are already primed to understand what this movement [ # ZimbabweanLivesMatter ] is all about.
” But the movement is also a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of online activism .
Several demonstrators have been arrested for their social media posts , according to activists , and the Zimbabwean government is working on a cybersecurity law that critics say will further shrink the allowable space for online dissent .
Scrolling # ZimbabweanLivesMatter on Twitter or Instagram illustrates why Zimbabweans are so outraged .
Even before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country was gripped by a deep economic crisis .
Inflation had climbed into the triple digits , and many staple goods like basic food , gasoline , and soap were either prohibitively expensive or simply unavailable .
Eight million people – half the country ’ s population – needed food aid .
The economic collapse was especially painful because it happened under the watch of President Emmerson Mnangagwa , who unseated Robert Mugabe after 37 years of rule in November 2017 , promising to open the country ’ s struggling economy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , along with political violence and repression to rival anything Mr. Mugabe ’ s regime had meted out .
So when the pandemic arrived in March , it hit a place already suffering deeply .
In a country where the majority of the population works informally , restrictions on movement and markets left most people out of work overnight , with little or no government aid .
Health care workers walked off the job , arguing they were risking their lives , often without protective gear , for a salary of less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , Mr. Chin ’ ono wrote a series of tweets alleging government officials were siphoning off money destined for protective gear for health care workers by purchasing it at heavily inflated prices .
The investigations helped lead to the arrest of Obadiah Moyo , who had recently been fired as minister of health and child care .
Mr. Chin ’ ono soon began making allegations that the president ’ s son , Collins Mnangagwa , had been involved in corruption as well , causing a spokesperson for ZANU-PF , the ruling party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first family .
On July 20 , Mr. Chin ’ ono was at home when a group of men broke into his house and announced that he was under arrest .
He live-tweeted the arrest , and it quickly went viral .
Mr. Chin ’ ono , who has been denied bail , now faces charges of inciting public violence for supporting the demonstrations .
In the days that followed , a wave of other activists tweeted their own protests and arrests .
But those who stayed off the streets weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign began , several people have been arrested for posts on Twitter and WhatsApp , a messaging application , according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights .
( Back in January 2019 , amid protests over fuel prices , Mr. Mnangagwa ’ s government turned off internet access entirely . )
Meanwhile , government is at work on the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill , which it has said will provide direly needed regulations for the country ’ s information technology sector .
But critics say the law contains provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on activists .
Chris Musodza , a digital communications expert with the Digital Society of Africa , which provides digital security support to activists , cites sections on cyberbullying and publishing false information with intent to harm , which he says could be used to punish government critics for social media posts .
Still , experts say the # ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag has given critics of Mr. Mnangagwa ’ s rule something they desperately needed : international attention .
“ When you see [ South African President Cyril ] Ramaphosa appointing a special envoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman raising concern about what ’ s happening in the country – all those kinds of actions are related to the high publicity that ’ s come with this campaign , ” says Dewa Mavhinga , the southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch .
“ It ’ s feeding on and amplifying the voices of activists on the ground.
” Moses , who declined to give his last name for safety , works as a gas station attendant near Harare .
He says he tried to get into Harare ’ s downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back by a police roadblock .
When he got home , he logged online , and saw the tide of voices calling for change on social media .
“ I am just relieved that we are now using social media to protest against the hunger , poverty , and persecution we are suffering in Zimbabwe , ” he says .

Ahead of planned protests July 31, the government imposed a new curfew, allegedly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and began rounding up critics. Instead, many Zimbabweans have taken to social media to protest. But the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement is also a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of online activism. Several people have been arrested for social media posts, according to activists, and a cybersecurity bill has raised concerns that room for online dissent could shrink.
Zimbabwe was gripped by an economic crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The collapse was especially painful because it happened less than three years after Robert Mugabe was unseated from his 37 years of rule. New President Emmerson Mnangagwa had promised to open the struggling economy to the world. But the backslide has continued, along with repression to rival the former regime’s.
When Robert Mugabe’s rule ended, Zimbabweans celebrated the start of a new chapter. Three years later, many say it’s only more of the same. Today, online protest keeps reformers’ hope alive as other sources are extinguished.
This is #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, a hashtag gathering strength since late last month, when the Zimbabwean government prevented planned in-person protests over corruption. And like #BlackLivesMatter, the hashtag has become a megaphone to express grief, anger, and resistance – and to attract a global audience.
It’s a protest movement that feels custom-built for 2020: online, borderless, and inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement ricocheting around the globe.
When Zimbabwean activists began planning mass protests against corruption in mid-July, the country’s authorities turned to a familiar playbook to shut down their opposition.
They began rounding up government critics and arrested a prominent journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, who had exposed a corruption scandal around the government’s purchase of personal protective equipment for health care workers. A new curfew – allegedly to prevent the spread of coronavirus – slid into place, preventing movement after 6 p.m. And on July 30, a day before the proposed marches, the police warned that participants would “be regarded as terrorists.”
The next morning, the streets were empty.
Why We Wrote This When Robert Mugabe’s rule ended, Zimbabweans celebrated the start of a new chapter. Three years later, many say it’s only more of the same. Today, online protest keeps reformers’ hope alive as other sources are extinguished.
Government, it seemed, had won.
But online, it was a different story. In and outside Zimbabwe, the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter was gathering strength, first among Zimbabweans airing grievances with their government, and soon, by people around the world expressing solidarity.
“The key aspect from the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter is that people are finding a safe space online where they can express themselves without the usual violence that they see on the streets,” says Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer and activist with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, who livestreamed her own arrest on July 31 after she posted photos of herself on Twitter staging a small protest in her neighborhood. (She is now out on bail.)
In many ways, #ZimbabweanLivesMatter feels like a protest movement custom-built for the year 2020 – online, borderless, and in the orbit of the #BlackLivesMatter movement still ricocheting around the globe. And like #BlackLivesMatter, #ZimbabweanLivesMatter has become a megaphone to express grief, anger, and resistance – and to give those sentiments a global audience.
“Globally, we have a situation where COVID-19 is highlighting inequalities in societies all around the world, and at the same time the BLM movement is showing the ways in which Black lives are not valued in many different societies,” says Asanda Ngoasheng, a South African political analyst. “So people are already primed to understand what this movement [#ZimbabweanLivesMatter] is all about.”
But the movement is also a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of online activism. Several demonstrators have been arrested for their social media posts, according to activists, and the Zimbabwean government is working on a cybersecurity law that critics say will further shrink the allowable space for online dissent.
Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP View caption Hide caption People carry buckets to fetch water past a police checkpoint in Harare, Zimbabwe, on July, 31, 2020. Police and soldiers manned checkpoints and ordered people seeking to get into the city for work and other chores to return home amid a lockdown.
Compounding crises
Scrolling #ZimbabweanLivesMatter on Twitter or Instagram illustrates why Zimbabweans are so outraged. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began earlier this year, the country was gripped by a deep economic crisis. Inflation had climbed into the triple digits, and many staple goods like basic food, gasoline, and soap were either prohibitively expensive or simply unavailable. Eight million people – half the country’s population – needed food aid.
The economic collapse was especially painful because it happened under the watch of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who unseated Robert Mugabe after 37 years of rule in November 2017, promising to open the country’s struggling economy to the world. Instead, the backslide continued, along with political violence and repression to rival anything Mr. Mugabe’s regime had meted out.
So when the pandemic arrived in March, it hit a place already suffering deeply. In a country where the majority of the population works informally, restrictions on movement and markets left most people out of work overnight, with little or no government aid. Health care workers walked off the job, arguing they were risking their lives, often without protective gear, for a salary of less than $100 a month.
In June, Mr. Chin’ono wrote a series of tweets alleging government officials were siphoning off money destined for protective gear for health care workers by purchasing it at heavily inflated prices.
The investigations helped lead to the arrest of Obadiah Moyo, who had recently been fired as minister of health and child care. Mr. Chin’ono soon began making allegations that the president’s son, Collins Mnangagwa, had been involved in corruption as well, causing a spokesperson for ZANU-PF, the ruling party, to caution journalists against attacks against the first family.
On July 20, Mr. Chin’ono was at home when a group of men broke into his house and announced that he was under arrest. He live-tweeted the arrest, and it quickly went viral. Mr. Chin’ono, who has been denied bail, now faces charges of inciting public violence for supporting the demonstrations.
In the days that followed, a wave of other activists tweeted their own protests and arrests.
Turn to the web
But those who stayed off the streets weren’t out of danger. Since the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign began, several people have been arrested for posts on Twitter and WhatsApp, a messaging application, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. (Back in January 2019, amid protests over fuel prices, Mr. Mnangagwa’s government turned off internet access entirely.)
Meanwhile, government is at work on the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which it has said will provide direly needed regulations for the country’s information technology sector. But critics say the law contains provisions that could be used to crack down on activists.
Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters View caption Hide caption Police officers patrol the street ahead of planned anti-government protests during the coronavirus outbreak in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 31, 2020.
Chris Musodza, a digital communications expert formerly with the Digital Society of Zimbabwe (now known as the Digital Society of Africa), which provides digital security support to activists, cites sections on cyberbullying and publishing false information with intent to harm, which he says could be used to punish government critics for social media posts.
Still, experts say the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag has given critics of Mr. Mnangagwa’s rule something they desperately needed: international attention.
“When you see [South African President Cyril] Ramaphosa appointing a special envoy to Zimbabwe, or the African Union chairman raising concern about what’s happening in the country – all those kinds of actions are related to the high publicity that’s come with this campaign,” says Dewa Mavhinga, the southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch. “It’s feeding on and amplifying the voices of activists on the ground.”
Moses, who declined to give his last name for safety, works as a gas station attendant near Harare. He says he tried to get into Harare’s downtown on July 31 when he was turned back by a police roadblock.
When he got home, he logged online, and saw the tide of voices calling for change on social media.
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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.
“I am just relieved that we are now using social media to protest against the hunger, poverty, and persecution we are suffering in Zimbabwe,” he says.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated Chris Musodza’s affiliation with the Digital Society of Africa.


csmonitor--2020-08-17--Why Israel looks different to some Arab leaders

In survey after survey , nearly half of young people in the Arab world say they would prefer to live in one small Gulf country , the United Arab Emirates .
And for good reason .
Since the Arab Spring of 2011-12 , no Arab country has succeeded better at staving off discontent among its youth in order to keep its leaders in power .
The UAE , a federation of sheikhdoms governed by an absolute monarchy , has spun its oil wealth into an island of peace and prosperity in the Middle East .
On Aug. 13 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissent – and along with it any support for radical Islam – took a big leap .
In a deal brokered by the United States , the UAE agreed to normalize relations with Israel .
In return , Israel agreed to suspend a plan to annex parts of the West Bank , giving temporary hope to Palestinians of a homeland in the future .
The UAE ’ s move comes more than 25 years after Jordan recognized Israel and more than 40 years since Egypt did so .
A few other Arab countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may follow the UAE ’ s lead , according to Israeli officials .
With the Palestinian cause fading among Arabs and with Iran rising as a threat , some Arab leaders see Israel as a potential partner , especially in trade and investment .
In fact , the UAE hopes its official ties with Israel will “ expand opportunities for young people ” by enhancing growth and innovation .
Israel is admired in the region for its high-tech industries .
And with the pandemic and low oil prices challenging petrostates like the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than an opponent .
Pacifying young people remains a top priority of the Middle East ’ s authoritarian rulers .
Recent protests in Algeria , Egypt , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , and Sudan have shown the pro-democracy spirit of the Arab Spring lives on .
An overwhelming 89 % of young Arabs are worried about finding jobs , according to the 2019 Arab Youth Survey .
Two-thirds say religion plays too big a role in the Middle East .
At the same time , use of social media has more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Half of Arab youth get news on Facebook .
In the UAE , 33 % of people between ages 18 and 34 rely on Snapchat daily .
Such grassroots access to news about Arab uprisings , along with the ability to organize dissent , is breaking down the social contract between autocrats and their citizens .
Arabs , for example , are demanding the truth about the COVID-19 outbreak .
And with the world economy in a recession , many Arabs see the need for openness and transparency to counteract official corruption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has jailed dozens of activists .
The most notable prisoner is human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor .
He is serving 10 years on charges of “ insulting the status and prestige of the UAE and its symbols including its leaders.
” The Arab Spring put Middle East leaders on notice that their main threats are internal .
Nearly a decade later , young people still aspire to live in prosperity under peaceful democracies .
Making pacts with Israel is one way to listen to those aspirations .

In survey after survey, nearly half of young people in the Arab world say they would prefer to live in one small Gulf country, the United Arab Emirates. And for good reason. Since the Arab Spring of 2011-12, no Arab country has succeeded better at staving off discontent among its youth in order to keep its leaders in power. The UAE, a federation of sheikhdoms governed by an absolute monarchy, has spun its oil wealth into an island of peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
On Aug. 13, the UAE’s ambition to quell youthful dissent – and along with it any support for radical Islam – took a big leap. In a deal brokered by the United States, the UAE agreed to normalize relations with Israel. In return, Israel agreed to suspend a plan to annex parts of the West Bank, giving temporary hope to Palestinians of a homeland in the future.
The UAE’s move comes more than 25 years after Jordan recognized Israel and more than 40 years since Egypt did so. A few other Arab countries, such as Bahrain and Oman, may follow the UAE’s lead, according to Israeli officials. With the Palestinian cause fading among Arabs and with Iran rising as a threat, some Arab leaders see Israel as a potential partner, especially in trade and investment.
In fact, the UAE hopes its official ties with Israel will “expand opportunities for young people” by enhancing growth and innovation. Israel is admired in the region for its high-tech industries. And with the pandemic and low oil prices challenging petrostates like the UAE, Israel seems more like an opportunity than an opponent.
Pacifying young people remains a top priority of the Middle East’s authoritarian rulers. Recent protests in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Sudan have shown the pro-democracy spirit of the Arab Spring lives on. An overwhelming 89% of young Arabs are worried about finding jobs, according to the 2019 Arab Youth Survey. Two-thirds say religion plays too big a role in the Middle East.
At the same time, use of social media has more than doubled in the past five years. Half of Arab youth get news on Facebook. In the UAE, 33% of people between ages 18 and 34 rely on Snapchat daily.
Such grassroots access to news about Arab uprisings, along with the ability to organize dissent, is breaking down the social contract between autocrats and their citizens. Arabs, for example, are demanding the truth about the COVID-19 outbreak. And with the world economy in a recession, many Arabs see the need for openness and transparency to counteract official corruption.
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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.
The UAE has enough political dissent that it has jailed dozens of activists. The most notable prisoner is human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor. He is serving 10 years on charges of “insulting the status and prestige of the UAE and its symbols including its leaders.”
The Arab Spring put Middle East leaders on notice that their main threats are internal. Nearly a decade later, young people still aspire to live in prosperity under peaceful democracies. Making pacts with Israel is one way to listen to those aspirations.


csmonitor--2020-08-17--A century of women’s suffrage: How the vote opened paths to leadership (video)

The fight for voting rights was long and arduous , and it has been followed by the battle for gender @ @ @ @ @ Amendment was ratified , women ’ s organizations have promoted the Equal Rights Amendment , @ @ @ @ @ .
While some women got involved with the ERA , others took up the banner @ @ @ @ @ others applied their talents to a variety of endeavors .
From Rosa Parks ’ stand @ @ @ @ @ directors finding success in Hollywood to women pushing the limits in journalism , the past @ @ @ @ @ in all areas of life and led to the rise of women ’ s leadership @ @ @ @ @ Science Monitor revisits a selection of these historic accomplishments as we look toward the next @ @ @

The fight for voting rights was long and arduous, and it has been followed by the battle for gender equality. Since the 19th Amendment was ratified, women’s organizations have promoted the Equal Rights Amendment, which has never been ratified. While some women got involved with the ERA, others took up the banner of social reform and still others applied their talents to a variety of endeavors.
From Rosa Parks’ stand for civil rights to female directors finding success in Hollywood to women pushing the limits in journalism, the past 100 years have included progress in all areas of life and led to the rise of women’s leadership in America. The Christian Science Monitor revisits a selection of these historic accomplishments as we look toward the next 100 years.
Why We Wrote This Women’s work did not end with the ratification of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 18, 1920. Over the decades, they fought to enter fields dominated by men and to bring their achievements to wider recognition. Our timeline marks the exceptional progress women have made and looks toward further accomplishments.


csmonitor--2020-08-17--Why this Black Italian designer is abstaining from fashion week

The only Black designer belonging to Italy ’ s influential fashion council is demanding a “ long overdue cultural reform ’ ’ from her colleagues under the slogan : Do Black Lives Matter in Italy ?
The conversation has gotten off to a rocky start .
Stella Jean , a Haitian-Italian designer born and raised in Rome , launched her appeal this summer .
She asked the Italian National Fashion Chamber and the global powerhouses steering it , including Prada , Ferragamo , and Zegna , to back their social media pledges supporting the Black Lives Matter movement with concrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Ms. Jean received a letter from the council president saying that addressing racial disparity within Italian fashion was not within the body ’ s area of responsibility , despite the fact that members had backed a diversity manifesto in December .
According to the letter , such initiatives “ pertain instead to parliament , the government , or any other bodies.
’ ’ Exasperated , Ms. Jean has decided not to preview a runway collection at Milan Fashion Week until “ they demonstrate awareness of the problem.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no bad intentions , I know them .
But they say something like ‘ What are you talking about , Stella ?
We have never heard about racism in Italy .
It is not an Italian story , it is about the U.S. , the U.K. , other countries .
Not Italy , ’ ” Ms. Jean told The Associated Press .
“ My response is : ‘ Why do you see all these people filling squares from the north to the south of this country for Black Lives Matter , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Soccer , another important Italian cultural institution , recognized that Italy has a problem with racism and worked to eliminate it .
Racially charged gaffes by Italian fashion houses have been well-documented , from Gucci ’ s Blackface sweater to Prada ’ s Little Black Sambo bag charm to Dolce & Gabbana videos that were seen by many as mocking Asians .
This summer , Marni , another major fashion house , apologized after being called out for its images of a Black man with chains around his ankles .
Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Milan-based U.S. designer Edward Buchanan , said in interviews that the issue is deeper than just culturally insensitive designs .
But they say those gaffes highlight the lack of diversity in Italian fashion houses and the “ pervasive racism and prejudice ’ ’ in the industry despite ‘ ’ significant funds allocated to provide sensitive training.
’ ’ “ These ‘ mistakes ’ can be better recognized , labeled , and addressed as ‘ decisions , ’ ” Ms. Jean asserts .
Their push is to open doors to Black Italians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see themselves represented and don ’ t see a way in .
They also are demanding data on Black personnel employed in decision-making roles in fashion houses – not models or marketing staff who they say “ are sadly more often than not displayed for show.
’ ’ '' We want to send a resume to a headhunter and not have it shut down because you are a Black designer , ’ ’ Mr. Buchanan said .
In their appeal , they spoke for dozens more whose names did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creators like Michelle Ngonmo , who launched an AFRO Fashion Week Milano on her own after failing to get the backing of the fashion industry , and Louis Pisano , a writer and influencer who has worked in Italian fashion for a decade .
Mr. Pisano cites incidents like having his fashion show invitations scrutinized while white influencers are waved into events .
Many more “ are hesitant to speak out for fear of a professional lynching , ’ ’ Ms. Jean said .
A frequent refrain from Black creatives in Italian fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person of color in the workplace .
They also see their opportunities and access limited by their skin color .
Mr. Buchanan , the designer of his own luxury knitwear label , Sansovino 6 , started out in Italy more than 25 years ago launching ready-to-wear at Bottega Veneta , and has worked with Calvin Klein and Donna Karan .
Now when he is called for consulting jobs , it is exclusively for streetwear or urban brands , despite his luxury credentials .
Meanwhile , white colleagues with similar resumes now hold creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am absolutely happy with the scale of my career .
But I can say honestly that opportunity has not come to me because of the color of my skin , ” Mr. Buchanan said .
Ms. Jean chafes at the Africa Hub , which promoted five brands during Milan Fashion Week in February .
She says it gave a market space but no runway visibility to brands including Ghana-based Studio 189 , co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah , which has previously shown at New York Fashion Week .
“ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are visiting a safari ?
’ ’ Ms. Jean asked .
The president of Italy ’ s fashion council , Carlo Capasa , defended the Africa Hub , saying it was set up alongside a section to support China , which was mostly missing from Milan Fashion Week due to the coronavirus pandemic , and some young Italian brands .
The only Black designer to present a runway show at Milan that round , which Ms. Jean skipped , was the British brand A-COLD-WALL .
Mr. Capasa told AP that the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses , and that a progress report on the diversity manifesto would be made in December .
He said the global Black Lives Matter protests had created a sense of urgency behind diversity pledges but added that “ making deep cultural changes requires time , ’ ’ citing the need for multi-year programs “ to include all minorities.
’ ’ “ What happens inside a fashion house mirrors the social construction of the country .
Italy is different from the United States , ” Mr. Capasa said .
“ In every country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning.
’ ’ Ms. Jean emphasized that she is trying to prompt change from within as the only Black designer to belong to the council since its formation in 1958 .
Her eponymous brand , rooted in multiculturalism , has grown steadily since her Milan runway debut seven years ago .
While she won ’ t show in September , she has asked Mr. Capasa to host a Black Lives Matter event to kick off “ the immediate launch of a long-overdue fashion cultural reform.
’ ’ This story was reported by The @ @ @

The only Black designer belonging to Italy’s influential fashion council is demanding a “long overdue cultural reform’’ from her colleagues under the slogan: Do Black Lives Matter in Italy?
The conversation has gotten off to a rocky start.
Stella Jean, a Haitian-Italian designer born and raised in Rome, launched her appeal this summer. She asked the Italian National Fashion Chamber and the global powerhouses steering it, including Prada, Ferragamo, and Zegna, to back their social media pledges supporting the Black Lives Matter movement with concrete, transparent commitments toward greater racial diversity.
In response, Ms. Jean received a letter from the council president saying that addressing racial disparity within Italian fashion was not within the body’s area of responsibility, despite the fact that members had backed a diversity manifesto in December. According to the letter, such initiatives “pertain instead to parliament, the government, or any other bodies.’’
Exasperated, Ms. Jean has decided not to preview a runway collection at Milan Fashion Week until “they demonstrate awareness of the problem.”
“When you talk with them, they have no bad intentions, I know them. But they say something like ‘What are you talking about, Stella? We have never heard about racism in Italy. It is not an Italian story, it is about the U.S., the U.K., other countries. Not Italy,’” Ms. Jean told The Associated Press. “My response is: ‘Why do you see all these people filling squares from the north to the south of this country for Black Lives Matter, this entire generation of invisible new Italians?’”
Soccer, another important Italian cultural institution, recognized that Italy has a problem with racism and worked to eliminate it.
Racially charged gaffes by Italian fashion houses have been well-documented, from Gucci’s Blackface sweater to Prada’s Little Black Sambo bag charm to Dolce&Gabbana videos that were seen by many as mocking Asians. This summer, Marni, another major fashion house, apologized after being called out for its images of a Black man with chains around his ankles.
Ms. Jean and the co-author of her appeal, Milan-based U.S. designer Edward Buchanan, said in interviews that the issue is deeper than just culturally insensitive designs. But they say those gaffes highlight the lack of diversity in Italian fashion houses and the “pervasive racism and prejudice’’ in the industry despite ‘’significant funds allocated to provide sensitive training.’’
“These ‘mistakes’ can be better recognized, labeled, and addressed as ‘decisions,’” Ms. Jean asserts.
Their push is to open doors to Black Italians who would like to work in fashion but don’t see themselves represented and don’t see a way in. They also are demanding data on Black personnel employed in decision-making roles in fashion houses – not models or marketing staff who they say “are sadly more often than not displayed for show.’’
"We want to send a resume to a headhunter and not have it shut down because you are a Black designer,’’ Mr. Buchanan said.
In their appeal, they spoke for dozens more whose names did not appear but include Italian and Italy-based Black creators like Michelle Ngonmo, who launched an AFRO Fashion Week Milano on her own after failing to get the backing of the fashion industry, and Louis Pisano, a writer and influencer who has worked in Italian fashion for a decade. Mr. Pisano cites incidents like having his fashion show invitations scrutinized while white influencers are waved into events.
Many more “are hesitant to speak out for fear of a professional lynching,’’ Ms. Jean said.
A frequent refrain from Black creatives in Italian fashion is that they are often the only person of color in the workplace. They also see their opportunities and access limited by their skin color.
Mr. Buchanan, the designer of his own luxury knitwear label, Sansovino 6, started out in Italy more than 25 years ago launching ready-to-wear at Bottega Veneta, and has worked with Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. Now when he is called for consulting jobs, it is exclusively for streetwear or urban brands, despite his luxury credentials. Meanwhile, white colleagues with similar resumes now hold creative director positions at major brands.
“I am absolutely happy with the scale of my career. But I can say honestly that opportunity has not come to me because of the color of my skin,” Mr. Buchanan said.
Ms. Jean chafes at the Africa Hub, which promoted five brands during Milan Fashion Week in February. She says it gave a market space but no runway visibility to brands including Ghana-based Studio 189, co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, which has previously shown at New York Fashion Week.
“Why do we need a special area like you are visiting a safari?’’ Ms. Jean asked.
The president of Italy’s fashion council, Carlo Capasa, defended the Africa Hub, saying it was set up alongside a section to support China, which was mostly missing from Milan Fashion Week due to the coronavirus pandemic, and some young Italian brands. The only Black designer to present a runway show at Milan that round, which Ms. Jean skipped, was the British brand A-COLD-WALL.
Mr. Capasa told AP that the council would produce data on diversity inside fashion houses, and that a progress report on the diversity manifesto would be made in December. He said the global Black Lives Matter protests had created a sense of urgency behind diversity pledges but added that “making deep cultural changes requires time,’’ citing the need for multi-year programs “to include all minorities.’’
“What happens inside a fashion house mirrors the social construction of the country. Italy is different from the United States,” Mr. Capasa said. “In every country, inclusion and diversity assumes a slightly different meaning.’’
Ms. Jean emphasized that she is trying to prompt change from within as the only Black designer to belong to the council since its formation in 1958. Her eponymous brand, rooted in multiculturalism, has grown steadily since her Milan runway debut seven years ago.
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While she won’t show in September, she has asked Mr. Capasa to host a Black Lives Matter event to kick off “the immediate launch of a long-overdue fashion cultural reform.’’
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-08-17--Despite new safety protocols, airlines struggle to lift-off

In a bid to survive , airlines are desperately trying to convince a wary public that measures like mandatory face masks and hospital-grade air filters make sitting in a plane safer than many other indoor settings during the coronavirus pandemic .
Surveys indicate that instead of growing comfortable with air travel , more people are becoming skeptical about it .
In the United States , airline bookings have stalled in the past month after slowly rising – a reaction to a new surge of reported virus infections .
Globally , air travel is down more than 85 % from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The implications for the airline industry are grave .
Several leading carriers already have filed for bankruptcy protection , and if the hoped-for recovery is delayed much longer , the list will grow .
The four largest U.S. airlines lost a combined $ 10 billion from April through June .
Their CEOs say they will survive , but they have lowered their expectations for a rebound .
`` We were all hoping that by the fall the virus might run its course , '' said Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead wrong . ''
When Consumer Reports surveyed more than 1,000 people in June about their comfort with various activities during the pandemic , 70 % said flying was very or somewhat unsafe .
They rated going to a hospital emergency room or standing in line to vote as safer .
John Kontak , a schoolteacher from Phoenix , said that he felt unsafe as soon as he stepped onto a crowded American Airlines flight this summer to visit his parents in Ohio .
`` I do n't know anything about this person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , '' Mr. Kontak said .
`` They took the bottom line or the dollar over the safety of passengers .
Next time , I 'd rather drive back to Ohio than fly – it 's safer because I can control it . ''
Airlines are split on how they handle social distancing .
Delta , Southwest , JetBlue , and Alaska leave some seats empty to create room between passengers .
United , American , and Spirit do not , arguing that social distancing is impossible on a plane .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but scenes of full planes alarm travelers .
Standard & Poor 's said this week that the industry 's prospects have gone `` from bad to worse , '' with global air traffic dropping by up to 70 % this year .
In May , S & P said a 55 % drop was a worst-case scenario .
`` It 's going to be a slower and more uneven recovery than one might have expected , '' S & P analyst Philip Baggaley said .
An airline trade group , the International Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 84 billion this year , making it the worst year in the industry 's history .
The group says traffic wo n't fully recover until 2024 .
Asia , where outbreaks were brought under control earlier , is doing better than the U.S. and Europe .
Domestic travel inside China has recovered to about two-thirds its year-ago level .
In the U.S. , traffic is less than one-third of 2019 levels .
Air traffic at Europe 's more than 500 airports has tumbled , down 94 % in June compared with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 4 million passengers , compared with 217 million a year earlier .
Travel ticked up when more than two dozen European countries opened borders to one another in early July , but virus cases are rising in several countries , leading to reimposed restrictions .
This week , the U.K. imposed a 14-day quarantine requirement on travelers – even Britons returning home – from France and the Netherlands .
Travel from outside Europe , including the U.S. , is still restricted .
In the U.S. , traffic picked up after collapsing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – down 74 % in July , down 72 % in August .
Airlines came into this crisis in the best shape ever financially , thanks to rising demand for travel , reduced competition through mergers , and billions raised by extra fees .
Among international carriers , the big state-backed airlines are almost certain to survive .
In Asia and the Middle East , they are often seen as vital contributors to the overall economy .
Similarly , big European carriers including Lufthansa , Air France-KLM , and British Airways may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's too late for U.K.-based Flybe ; it shut down in March .
Latin America 's two biggest airlines , Avianca and Latam , filed for bankruptcy protection .
So did Aeromexico .
Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia , both part of British mogul Richard Branson 's galaxy of companies , are using the courts to reset debts .
In the U.S. , Trans States and Compass , which flew smaller planes for the major airlines , and Alaska-based Ravn Air shut down , but the big airlines have survived with billions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrowing .
U.S. airlines have scrambled to reassure travelers that planes are safe .
They require passengers to wear face masks and are cleaning cabins more thoroughly , even spraying seats with anti-microbial mist .
`` You can smell the cleaning fog that 's been done , and everything is wiped down basically top to bottom – chairs , window shades , even the light switches and overhead bins , '' said Jason Bounds , a veteran flight attendant at Delta Air Lines .
Carol Braddick , a business coach and consultant who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was so worried about the American Airlines leg of her journey to the U.K. that she sought out a COVID-19 test after arriving .
`` The person I was sitting next to was drinking nonstop , shouting to his friend a row behind him ; they were shouting back and forth , '' Ms. Braddick said .
`` The combination of alcohol , shouting , and no mask is unacceptable , and the flight attendant did nothing . ''
Ms. Braddick put off plans for a couple of short holiday trips within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality for us is fewer trips , longer stays , and being much more selective about which airline we 'll fly , '' she said .
Even frequent flyers like Seth Miller , who writes about travel at his PaxEx.aero website , are grounding themselves .
`` Much as I love and miss travel , it just does n't seem worth the risk to me , '' he said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Nathan Ellgren in Washington contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

In a bid to survive, airlines are desperately trying to convince a wary public that measures like mandatory face masks and hospital-grade air filters make sitting in a plane safer than many other indoor settings during the coronavirus pandemic.
It isn't working.
Surveys indicate that instead of growing comfortable with air travel, more people are becoming skeptical about it. In the United States, airline bookings have stalled in the past month after slowly rising – a reaction to a new surge of reported virus infections.
Globally, air travel is down more than 85% from a year ago, according to industry figures.
The implications for the airline industry are grave. Several leading carriers already have filed for bankruptcy protection, and if the hoped-for recovery is delayed much longer, the list will grow.
The four largest U.S. airlines lost a combined $10 billion from April through June. Their CEOs say they will survive, but they have lowered their expectations for a rebound.
"We were all hoping that by the fall the virus might run its course," said Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly. "Obviously, that has proven to be dead wrong."
When Consumer Reports surveyed more than 1,000 people in June about their comfort with various activities during the pandemic, 70% said flying was very or somewhat unsafe. They rated going to a hospital emergency room or standing in line to vote as safer.
John Kontak, a schoolteacher from Phoenix, said that he felt unsafe as soon as he stepped onto a crowded American Airlines flight this summer to visit his parents in Ohio. "I don't know anything about this person who is sitting a foot away from me," Mr. Kontak said. "They took the bottom line or the dollar over the safety of passengers. Next time, I'd rather drive back to Ohio than fly – it's safer because I can control it."
Airlines are split on how they handle social distancing. Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska leave some seats empty to create room between passengers.
United, American, and Spirit do not, arguing that social distancing is impossible on a plane. Most flights have plenty of empty seats, but scenes of full planes alarm travelers.
Standard & Poor's said this week that the industry's prospects have gone "from bad to worse," with global air traffic dropping by up to 70% this year. In May, S&P said a 55% drop was a worst-case scenario.
"It's going to be a slower and more uneven recovery than one might have expected," S&P analyst Philip Baggaley said.
An airline trade group, the International Air Transport Association, predicts carriers will lose $84 billion this year, making it the worst year in the industry's history. The group says traffic won't fully recover until 2024.
Asia, where outbreaks were brought under control earlier, is doing better than the U.S. and Europe. Domestic travel inside China has recovered to about two-thirds its year-ago level. In the U.S., traffic is less than one-third of 2019 levels.
Air traffic at Europe's more than 500 airports has tumbled, down 94% in June compared with the same month last year. There were about 4 million passengers, compared with 217 million a year earlier.
Travel ticked up when more than two dozen European countries opened borders to one another in early July, but virus cases are rising in several countries, leading to reimposed restrictions. This week, the U.K. imposed a 14-day quarantine requirement on travelers – even Britons returning home – from France and the Netherlands. Travel from outside Europe, including the U.S., is still restricted.
In the U.S., traffic picked up after collapsing by 95% in April but has stalled – down 74% in July, down 72% in August.
Airlines came into this crisis in the best shape ever financially, thanks to rising demand for travel, reduced competition through mergers, and billions raised by extra fees.
Among international carriers, the big state-backed airlines are almost certain to survive. In Asia and the Middle East, they are often seen as vital contributors to the overall economy. Similarly, big European carriers including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and British Airways may be too important to let fail.
It's too late for U.K.-based Flybe; it shut down in March. Latin America's two biggest airlines, Avianca and Latam, filed for bankruptcy protection. So did Aeromexico. Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, both part of British mogul Richard Branson's galaxy of companies, are using the courts to reset debts.
In the U.S., Trans States and Compass, which flew smaller planes for the major airlines, and Alaska-based Ravn Air shut down, but the big airlines have survived with billions in government aid and billions more in private borrowing.
U.S. airlines have scrambled to reassure travelers that planes are safe. They require passengers to wear face masks and are cleaning cabins more thoroughly, even spraying seats with anti-microbial mist.
"You can smell the cleaning fog that's been done, and everything is wiped down basically top to bottom – chairs, window shades, even the light switches and overhead bins," said Jason Bounds, a veteran flight attendant at Delta Air Lines.
Carol Braddick, a business coach and consultant who splits her time between Phoenix and England, was so worried about the American Airlines leg of her journey to the U.K. that she sought out a COVID-19 test after arriving.
"The person I was sitting next to was drinking nonstop, shouting to his friend a row behind him; they were shouting back and forth," Ms. Braddick said. "The combination of alcohol, shouting, and no mask is unacceptable, and the flight attendant did nothing."
Ms. Braddick put off plans for a couple of short holiday trips within Europe this summer.
"The new reality for us is fewer trips, longer stays, and being much more selective about which airline we'll fly," she said.
Even frequent flyers like Seth Miller, who writes about travel at his PaxEx.aero website, are grounding themselves.
"Much as I love and miss travel, it just doesn't seem worth the risk to me," he said.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Nathan Ellgren in Washington 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--2020-08-17--Pro-Biden or anti-Trump? Most Biden/Harris voters say the latter

For the second time in four years , the Democratic presidential primary pitted the expanding progressive movement against an eventually victorious establishment .
But as the party gathers virtually this week to nominate Joe Biden for the presidency , the possibility of President Donald Trump 's reelection has become Democrats ' unifying and energizing force .
`` Nobody fits neatly and tightly into any one bucket , '' said Georgia Democratic Chairwoman Nikema Williams .
`` What we all fit into is knowing that right now we do n't have leadership in our country , and it 's hurting all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important shift from 2016 , when Hillary Clinton struggled to build a coalition between her supporters and those who backed Sen. Bernie Sanders , who again finished as runner-up this year .
It reflects both the work Mr. Biden has done to court the left and the urgency among Democrats to defeat Mr. Trump , which has only intensified amid the coronavirus pandemic , economic turmoil , and a national reckoning on racism .
According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll out Sunday , 58 % of registered voters who support Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump than for Mr. Biden .
Still , the party 's ideological splits have n't vanished .
There are disagreements over how to achieve universal health care , make higher education affordable , overhaul law enforcement practices , and reengage with countries that are questioning America 's role in the world .
Leaders on the left warn that Mr. Biden must still keep their interests in mind , offering a reminder that even a November victory wo n't guarantee a united front during a Biden presidency .
`` Progressives are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor , co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee , but she called it `` demoralizing and wrong '' for Mr. Biden and the Democratic National Committee to give convention airtime to figures like billionaire Mike Bloomberg , the former New York City mayor who spent more than $ 500 million of his own money running for the nomination .
Ms. Taylor nodded at Mr. Biden 's pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate , the first Black woman on a major party 's ticket .
But she cast the California senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as an establishment politician alongside Mr. Biden , a former vice president first elected to the Senate in 1972 .
`` If Biden and Harris want to energize progressives to donate and volunteer , '' Ms. Taylor said , `` they need to elevate leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Julián Castro , and policies like canceling student debt and Medicare for All .
Progressive energy matters , and voter energy matters .
We 're fighting Trump as hard as we can right now – just do n't take that for granted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York congresswoman and a face of young progressives , and Mr. Castro , who set the 2020 presidential field 's left flank on immigration , will speak during the four-night convention .
But Ms. Taylor 's sentiment underscores the complexity in Mr. Biden 's effort to corral the spectrum of voters dissatisfied with Mr. Trump .
Despite Mr. Biden 's five decades at the core of the Democratic Party , he 's not a natural fit for every faction in 2020 .
As younger activists gain clout in shaping the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 78 on Inauguration Day , making him the oldest person to assume the presidency if he 's elected .
As a white man , his core constituencies are white moderates and Black women , who revived his campaign in part because of their appreciation of Mr. Biden 's service as vice president to Barack Obama , the first Black president .
And his reverence for institutions such as Congress is at odds with the most intense voices of both political parties , where activists often put a premium on outsiders and are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree , Mr. Biden is comfortable with the challenges .
From its start , his campaign has been as much a moral argument against Mr. Trump as about settling an absolute identity for his party .
He 's said plainly he would n't have run if Mr. Trump were n't president .
Two of his three campaign themes are aimed squarely at the incumbent : `` restore the soul of the nation '' and `` unite the country . ''
On policy , Mr. Biden did take a side in Democrats ' identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mr. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in the primary .
He wants a `` public option '' government health insurance plan , not their preferred single-payer insurance system that would scrap private insurance altogether .
He wants to offer considerable aid for college tuition and to ease student debt , even widening his proposals since capturing the nomination .
Yet he still does n't go as far as Mr. Sanders .
He 's pitched trillions in spending to combat the climate crisis but does n't fully embrace progressives ' `` Green New Deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy , and since the pandemic started , he has ratcheted up his rhetoric on the deep-seated inequalities in U.S. society .
He 's adopted Ms. Warren 's proposed overhaul of U.S. bankruptcy laws to make them more consumer friendly , but he also goes out of his way not to vilify business and wealth .
A deal-maker from his 36 years in the Senate , Mr. Biden spent his months as presumptive nominee working with progressives on various proposals .
He calls himself the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era and says his agenda , if enacted , would rank alongside seminal Democratic Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson .
But he 's never expressly retreated from a core message he wielded against Mr. Sanders : `` People are looking for results , not a revolution . ''
All that leaves Mr. Biden and the party wide latitude to solicit voters – but also to leave some disillusioned .
`` We are a big party , '' said Democratic National Chairman Tom Perez , arguing that a convention lineup that ranges from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a conservative Republican like former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , still speaks to `` common values . ''
When talking more broadly , Democratic leaders and activists interviewed ahead of the convention most often mentioned three qualities : the party 's diversity , support of workers , and Mr. Biden 's reputation for empathy .
`` The Democratic Party is a microcosm of the United States of America , '' said House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn , a South Carolina Democrat whose endorsement of Mr. Biden was a turning point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Georgian who is also the Democratic nominee to succeed the late Rep. John Lewis , celebrated Ms. Harris ' nomination .
She said regardless of any hand-wringing over the senator 's record as a prosecutor or how she treated big banks as California attorney general , Ms. Harris `` motivates me to get out there and work my butt off , '' she said .
Mr. Perez called Mr. Biden an ideal figure to tie disparate factions together with Mr. Trump as the opponent .
`` Joe Biden is a fundamentally honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among many progressives who did n't want him as nominee , those personal characteristics and the presumption they attract independents and Republicans in the voting booth is enough to warrant support .
Larry Cohen , a prominent Democratic national committeeman , Sanders confidant and labor leader , pointed to Democrats on Capitol Hill as the guide for the party .
Democrats won the House majority in 2018 largely on the strength of more moderate nominees running in suburban and exurban swing districts .
But several young progressives , including Ms. Ocasio-Cortez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battlegrounds and safe Democratic districts .
Democrats ' hopes to retake the Senate and , in turn , move any significant agenda depends first on a similarly varied slate winning enough seats .
Even then , Mr. Cohen said , Democrats will have to navigate internal party fights , almost certainly including whether to abolish the filibuster , so that major legislation does n't require 60 votes .
`` When I look at the ticket , I see two experts on the Senate , on getting things done , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever . ''
`` The rest of that line that I do n't always use , '' Mr. Cohen said , is `` 'backward never . '
'' This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia , South Carolina , contributed to this report .

For the second time in four years, the Democratic presidential primary pitted the expanding progressive movement against an eventually victorious establishment. But as the party gathers virtually this week to nominate Joe Biden for the presidency, the possibility of President Donald Trump's reelection has become Democrats' unifying and energizing force.
"Nobody fits neatly and tightly into any one bucket," said Georgia Democratic Chairwoman Nikema Williams. "What we all fit into is knowing that right now we don't have leadership in our country, and it's hurting all of us."
That's an important shift from 2016, when Hillary Clinton struggled to build a coalition between her supporters and those who backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, who again finished as runner-up this year. It reflects both the work Mr. Biden has done to court the left and the urgency among Democrats to defeat Mr. Trump, which has only intensified amid the coronavirus pandemic, economic turmoil, and a national reckoning on racism.
According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll out Sunday, 58% of registered voters who support Mr. Biden say their vote is more against Mr. Trump than for Mr. Biden.
Still, the party's ideological splits haven't vanished. There are disagreements over how to achieve universal health care, make higher education affordable, overhaul law enforcement practices, and reengage with countries that are questioning America's role in the world.
Leaders on the left warn that Mr. Biden must still keep their interests in mind, offering a reminder that even a November victory won't guarantee a united front during a Biden presidency.
"Progressives are going to vote against Trump," said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, but she called it "demoralizing and wrong" for Mr. Biden and the Democratic National Committee to give convention airtime to figures like billionaire Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who spent more than $500 million of his own money running for the nomination.
Ms. Taylor nodded at Mr. Biden's pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first Black woman on a major party's ticket. But she cast the California senator, who is also of Asian descent, as an establishment politician alongside Mr. Biden, a former vice president first elected to the Senate in 1972.
"If Biden and Harris want to energize progressives to donate and volunteer," Ms. Taylor said, "they need to elevate leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Julián Castro, and policies like canceling student debt and Medicare for All. Progressive energy matters, and voter energy matters. We're fighting Trump as hard as we can right now – just don't take that for granted."
In fact, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, the New York congresswoman and a face of young progressives, and Mr. Castro, who set the 2020 presidential field's left flank on immigration, will speak during the four-night convention. But Ms. Taylor's sentiment underscores the complexity in Mr. Biden's effort to corral the spectrum of voters dissatisfied with Mr. Trump.
Despite Mr. Biden's five decades at the core of the Democratic Party, he's not a natural fit for every faction in 2020.
As younger activists gain clout in shaping the party's priorities, Mr. Biden will be 78 on Inauguration Day, making him the oldest person to assume the presidency if he's elected. As a white man, his core constituencies are white moderates and Black women, who revived his campaign in part because of their appreciation of Mr. Biden's service as vice president to Barack Obama, the first Black president. And his reverence for institutions such as Congress is at odds with the most intense voices of both political parties, where activists often put a premium on outsiders and aren't eager to compromise.
To a large degree, Mr. Biden is comfortable with the challenges. From its start, his campaign has been as much a moral argument against Mr. Trump as about settling an absolute identity for his party. He's said plainly he wouldn't have run if Mr. Trump weren't president. Two of his three campaign themes are aimed squarely at the incumbent: "restore the soul of the nation" and "unite the country."
On policy, Mr. Biden did take a side in Democrats' identity battle, running as a pragmatic alternative to Mr. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in the primary. He wants a "public option" government health insurance plan, not their preferred single-payer insurance system that would scrap private insurance altogether. He wants to offer considerable aid for college tuition and to ease student debt, even widening his proposals since capturing the nomination. Yet he still doesn't go as far as Mr. Sanders.
He's pitched trillions in spending to combat the climate crisis but doesn't fully embrace progressives' "Green New Deal." Mr. Biden wants a range of tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy, and since the pandemic started, he has ratcheted up his rhetoric on the deep-seated inequalities in U.S. society. He's adopted Ms. Warren's proposed overhaul of U.S. bankruptcy laws to make them more consumer friendly, but he also goes out of his way not to vilify business and wealth.
A deal-maker from his 36 years in the Senate, Mr. Biden spent his months as presumptive nominee working with progressives on various proposals. He calls himself the "most progressive" nominee in the modern era and says his agenda, if enacted, would rank alongside seminal Democratic Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. But he's never expressly retreated from a core message he wielded against Mr. Sanders: "People are looking for results, not a revolution."
All that leaves Mr. Biden and the party wide latitude to solicit voters – but also to leave some disillusioned.
"We are a big party," said Democratic National Chairman Tom Perez, arguing that a convention lineup that ranges from Mr. Sanders, a democratic socialist, to a conservative Republican like former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, still speaks to "common values."
When talking more broadly, Democratic leaders and activists interviewed ahead of the convention most often mentioned three qualities: the party's diversity, support of workers, and Mr. Biden's reputation for empathy.
"The Democratic Party is a microcosm of the United States of America," said House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat whose endorsement of Mr. Biden was a turning point in the nominating fight.
Ms. Williams, the Georgian who is also the Democratic nominee to succeed the late Rep. John Lewis, celebrated Ms. Harris' nomination. She said regardless of any hand-wringing over the senator's record as a prosecutor or how she treated big banks as California attorney general, Ms. Harris "motivates me to get out there and work my butt off," she said.
Mr. Perez called Mr. Biden an ideal figure to tie disparate factions together with Mr. Trump as the opponent. "Joe Biden is a fundamentally honest and decent person," he said.
Among many progressives who didn't want him as nominee, those personal characteristics and the presumption they attract independents and Republicans in the voting booth is enough to warrant support.
Larry Cohen, a prominent Democratic national committeeman, Sanders confidant and labor leader, pointed to Democrats on Capitol Hill as the guide for the party. Democrats won the House majority in 2018 largely on the strength of more moderate nominees running in suburban and exurban swing districts. But several young progressives, including Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, won seats, as well, across battlegrounds and safe Democratic districts.
Democrats' hopes to retake the Senate and, in turn, move any significant agenda depends first on a similarly varied slate winning enough seats. Even then, Mr. Cohen said, Democrats will have to navigate internal party fights, almost certainly including whether to abolish the filibuster, so that major legislation doesn't require 60 votes.
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"When I look at the ticket, I see two experts on the Senate, on getting things done," he said, invoking a personal motto: "Forward ever." "The rest of that line that I don't always use," Mr. Cohen said, is "'backward never.'"
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-08-17--After lost ballots and a court case, Puerto Rico's votes are in

Puerto Rican Gov .
Wanda Vázquez on Sunday acknowledged losing the primary of her pro-statehood party to Pedro Pierluisi , who briefly served as the United States territory 's governor last year amid political turmoil .
With more than 78 % of electoral colleges reporting late Sunday , Mr. Pierluisi received more than 57 % of the vote compared with more than 42 % for Ms. Vázquez .
`` We have to abide by the decision of the majority , '' Ms. Vázquez said in a brief speech where she warned Mr. Pierluisi that he should `` aspire '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her .
She will remain as governor until the winner of Puerto Rico 's Nov. 3 general elections takes office .
Mr. Pierluisi spoke shortly after Ms. Vázquez and said the governor can count on him : `` We all have to be united to push Puerto Rico forward . ''
Meanwhile , Carlos Delgado , mayor of the northwest town of Isabela for 20 years , was poised to win by a landslide the nomination of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party .
Conceding defeat was Puerto Rico Sen. Eduardo Bhatia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , known for her public spats with U.S. President Donald Trump .
With more than 68 % of electoral colleges reporting , Mr. Delgado had received more than 60 % of the vote .
The results come one week after delayed and missing ballots led to a chaotic primary that forced a second round of voting on Sunday in which thousands of Puerto Ricans got a second chance to vote for the first time .
Voting centers in nearly 50 of the island 's 78 municipalities opened following a recent U.S. Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting would take place at centers that never opened on Aug. 9 or did not remain open the required eight hours .
The opening of at least one voting center in the north coastal town of Loíza was delayed by more than one hour as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with masks over their faces .
`` We expected that there would n't be any problems , '' said Santiago Jiménez , a retiree , adding that some people left .
Jannette Ledoux , coordinator for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told The Associated Press that the problem was a result of four volunteers quitting late Saturday , delaying the required ballot counting before the doors opened .
Once voting got underway , one elderly woman emerged after casting her ballot and yelled to those waiting , `` Come on !
Come on !
Let 's vote !
Let 's vote ! ''
But not everyone could participate in Sunday 's second round .
The Supreme Court 's ruling permanently left out voters like Eldy Correa , a retiree who went to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabo Rojo three times last Sunday and desisted only to find out later that it opened late .
`` They took away our right to vote , '' she said , adding that she was upset with the president of the elections commission despite his apologies .
`` Sorry for what ?
That does n't resolve anything . ''
Puerto Rico 's general elections will see a record six candidates running for governor .
Among them is Mr. Pierluisi , who served for governor less than a week after former Gov .
Ricardo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked by a profanity-laced chat that was leaked .
However , the island 's Supreme Court ruled that Ms. Vázquez , former justice secretary at the time , was next-in-line to become governor since there was no secretary of state .
The island 's two main parties have demanded that elections commission president Juan Ernesto Dávila resign .
Mr. Dávila has said it would be irresponsible to do so amid the primaries , and that he would only consider the petition afterward .
Officials have blamed the chaos of the Aug. 9 primaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission and trucks laden with materials not leaving until the day of the primaries , when usually they depart one or two days before .
Mr. Dávila has said the ballots arrived late because of the pandemic , Tropical Storm Isaias , and a last-minute request from both parties to print more of them .
Officials from both parties said Sunday that all ballots arrived on time and that no serious delays were reported .
Many Puerto Ricans remained angry and embarrassed over a botched primary that many say was a blow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that did n't stop retiree Irma Muñoz from weathering heat and the pandemic to stand in line for a second time to cast her vote .
`` You have to make the sacrifice , '' she said .
`` Otherwise , we 're stuck with what we have now . ''
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 .

Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez on Sunday acknowledged losing the primary of her pro-statehood party to Pedro Pierluisi, who briefly served as the United States territory's governor last year amid political turmoil.
With more than 78% of electoral colleges reporting late Sunday, Mr. Pierluisi received more than 57% of the vote compared with more than 42% for Ms. Vázquez.
"We have to abide by the decision of the majority," Ms. Vázquez said in a brief speech where she warned Mr. Pierluisi that he should "aspire" to have the support of those who voted for her. She will remain as governor until the winner of Puerto Rico's Nov. 3 general elections takes office.
Mr. Pierluisi spoke shortly after Ms. Vázquez and said the governor can count on him: "We all have to be united to push Puerto Rico forward."
Meanwhile, Carlos Delgado, mayor of the northwest town of Isabela for 20 years, was poised to win by a landslide the nomination of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party. Conceding defeat was Puerto Rico Sen. Eduardo Bhatia and San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, known for her public spats with U.S. President Donald Trump.
With more than 68% of electoral colleges reporting, Mr. Delgado had received more than 60% of the vote.
The results come one week after delayed and missing ballots led to a chaotic primary that forced a second round of voting on Sunday in which thousands of Puerto Ricans got a second chance to vote for the first time.
Voting centers in nearly 50 of the island's 78 municipalities opened following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that stated a second round of voting would take place at centers that never opened on Aug. 9 or did not remain open the required eight hours.
The opening of at least one voting center in the north coastal town of Loíza was delayed by more than one hour as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with masks over their faces.
"We expected that there wouldn't be any problems," said Santiago Jiménez, a retiree, adding that some people left.
Jannette Ledoux, coordinator for the unit where the voting center was located, told The Associated Press that the problem was a result of four volunteers quitting late Saturday, delaying the required ballot counting before the doors opened.
Once voting got underway, one elderly woman emerged after casting her ballot and yelled to those waiting, "Come on! Come on! Let's vote! Let's vote!"
But not everyone could participate in Sunday's second round.
The Supreme Court's ruling permanently left out voters like Eldy Correa, a retiree who went to her voting center in the southwest town of Cabo Rojo three times last Sunday and desisted only to find out later that it opened late.
"They took away our right to vote," she said, adding that she was upset with the president of the elections commission despite his apologies. "Sorry for what? That doesn't resolve anything."
Puerto Rico's general elections will see a record six candidates running for governor. Among them is Mr. Pierluisi, who served for governor less than a week after former Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned last year following huge protests sparked by a profanity-laced chat that was leaked. However, the island's Supreme Court ruled that Ms. Vázquez, former justice secretary at the time, was next-in-line to become governor since there was no secretary of state.
The island's two main parties have demanded that elections commission president Juan Ernesto Dávila resign. Mr. Dávila has said it would be irresponsible to do so amid the primaries, and that he would only consider the petition afterward.
Officials have blamed the chaos of the Aug. 9 primaries on ballots arriving late to the elections commission and trucks laden with materials not leaving until the day of the primaries, when usually they depart one or two days before. Mr. Dávila has said the ballots arrived late because of the pandemic, Tropical Storm Isaias, and a last-minute request from both parties to print more of them.
Officials from both parties said Sunday that all ballots arrived on time and that no serious delays were reported.
Many Puerto Ricans remained angry and embarrassed over a botched primary that many say was a blow to the U.S territory's democracy. But that didn't stop retiree Irma Muñoz from weathering heat and the pandemic to stand in line for a second time to cast her vote.
"You have to make the sacrifice," she said. "Otherwise, we're stuck with what we have now."
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.