csmonitor--2020-07-27--Mail-in voting attracts millions in donations for the first time

Deep-pocketed and often anonymous donors are pouring over $ 100 million into an intensifying dispute about whether it should be easier to vote by mail , a fight that could determine President Donald Trump 's fate in the November election .
In the battleground of Wisconsin , cash-strapped cities have received $ 6.3 million from an organization with ties to left-wing philanthropy to help expand vote by mail .
Meanwhile , a well-funded conservative group best known for its focus on judicial appointments is spending heavily to fight cases related to mail-in balloting procedures in court .
And that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , which is likely to swell far higher as the election nears .
The massive effort by political parties , super PACs , and other organizations to fight over whether Americans can vote by mail is remarkable considering the practice has long been noncontroversial .
But the coronavirus is forcing changes to the way states conduct elections and prompting activists across the political spectrum to seek an advantage , recognizing the contest between Mr. Trump and Democrat Joe Biden could hinge on whether voters have an alternative to standing in lines at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some groups are even raising money to prepare for election-related violence .
`` The pandemic has created a state of emergency , '' said Laleh Ispahani , the United States managing director for Open Society , a network of nonprofits founded by billionaire progressive donor George Soros .
`` Donors who have n't typically taken on these issues now have an interest . ''
How much will be spent is unclear because many of the organizations are nonprofits that wo n't disclose those details to the IRS until well after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money will remain unknown because such groups do n't have to disclose their donors , commonly referred to as `` dark money . ''
Tax filings , business records , and campaign finance disclosures offer some clues .
They reveal vast infrastructure that funnels money from wealthy donors , through philanthropic organizations and political groups , which eventually trickles down to smaller nonprofits , many of which operate under murky circumstances .
On the conservative side , organizations including Judicial Watch , the Honest Elections Project , True the Vote , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to voting procedures across the U.S. A substantial portion of the financing comes from Donors Trust , a nonprofit often referred to as the `` dark money ATM '' of the conservative movement .
The organization helps wealthy patrons invest in causes they care about while sheltering their identities from the public .
In other instances , funding comes from charitable foundations built by the fortunes of Gilded Age industrialists .
Litigation is a primary focus .
Democrats and good government organizations are pushing to eliminate hurdles to absentee voting , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third parties to collect ballots .
Conservatives say that amounts to an invitation to commit voter fraud .
As these issues wind their way through courts , they say judges could decide complex policy matters that often were already debated by state legislatures .
`` The wrong way to go about this is to run to court , particularly a week or two before an election , trying to get judges to intervene and second-guess decisions legislatures have made , '' said Jason Snead , the executive director of the Honest Elections Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offshoot of the Judicial Education Project , a group that previously focused on judicial appointments and received more than $ 25.3 million between 2016 and 2018 from the Donors Trust , records show .
They are deeply intertwined with the conservative Catholic legal movement and share an attorney , William Consovoy , with the Republican National Committee , which has pledged $ 20 million for voting litigation .
Leonard Leo , a Trump confidant who was instrumental in the confirmations of the president 's Supreme Court nominees , plays a leading role .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations firm called CRC Advisors , which aims to become a new clearinghouse for anonymous donors to fund conservative causes , including the fight over vote by mail .
The firm played a significant role in the 2004 election by publicizing unfounded claims made by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth , which questioned Democratic nominee John Kerry 's record as a Vietnam War hero , records show .
The group 's involvement in vote by mail marks a sea change for Republicans .
Claims of widespread voter fraud have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
But it did not elicit much interest from donors , and the handful of groups devoted to the issue operated on minuscule budgets .
But in recent years , Democrats have mounted legal challenges that threatened voting laws championed by conservatives .
And Mr. Trump 's repeated focus on `` rigged elections '' has made the issue part of a broader culture war .
Still , some activists question the GOP establishment 's commitment to the cause .
`` They are n't going to take on Republicans like we have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of True the Vote .
While Republicans are focused on the courts and raising doubts about vote by mail , the challenge faced by Democrats is far more daunting .
In addition to litigation , they must mobilize their base during a pandemic .
That includes educating the public about vote by mail , a difficult task when door-to-door canvasing is n't an option .
Some groups are donating directly to local governments .
In Wisconsin , the Center for Tech and Civic Life , a nonprofit with ties to left-leaning philanthropy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's five largest cities to set up ballot drop boxes , help voters file absentee ballot requests , and expand in-person early voting .
Even before the pandemic , government funding for elections was limited .
Since then , the outbreak has escalated costs while cratering tax revenue .
`` Due to COVID , there definitely has been a higher cost , '' said Mayor John Antaramian , of Kenosha , which received $ 863,000 through the grant – roughly four times what the city budgeted for the election .
`` Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Of course . ''
Much of the money on the left is likely to come from a series of nonprofit funds controlled by the consulting firm Arabella Advisors , which typically routes upward of $ 500 million a year to causes supported by liberal donors .
The firm was founded by Eric Kessler , who served in Bill Clinton 's White House .
The firm has been instrumental in financing so-called resistance groups following Mr. Trump 's election .
And some nonprofits they 've provided seed money were responsible for millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the 2018 midterms .
They 've also pioneered the practice of creating `` pop-up '' organizations : groups that appear to be grassroots-driven efforts to influence public policy , which use trade names that obscure a deep pool of resources from those with ideological or financial motivations .
The firm recently registered a handful of trade names for groups that appear to be focused on voting rights , records show .
Another effort Arabella Advisors are involved in , the Trusted Elections Fund , aims to raise between $ 8 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads to chaos in November .
The group is preparing for potential foreign hacking of state voting systems , `` election day or post-election day violence , '' as well as contested results .
A Trusted Elections Fund representative declined to comment .
But a two-page summary available online elaborated on their aims .
`` Philanthropy has a responsibility to make sure that we are prepared for emergencies that could threaten our democracy , '' it read .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Deep-pocketed and often anonymous donors are pouring over $100 million into an intensifying dispute about whether it should be easier to vote by mail, a fight that could determine President Donald Trump's fate in the November election.
In the battleground of Wisconsin, cash-strapped cities have received $6.3 million from an organization with ties to left-wing philanthropy to help expand vote by mail. Meanwhile, a well-funded conservative group best known for its focus on judicial appointments is spending heavily to fight cases related to mail-in balloting procedures in court.
And that's just a small slice of the overall spending, which is likely to swell far higher as the election nears.
The massive effort by political parties, super PACs, and other organizations to fight over whether Americans can vote by mail is remarkable considering the practice has long been noncontroversial. But the coronavirus is forcing changes to the way states conduct elections and prompting activists across the political spectrum to seek an advantage, recognizing the contest between Mr. Trump and Democrat Joe Biden could hinge on whether voters have an alternative to standing in lines at polling places during a public health crisis.
Some groups are even raising money to prepare for election-related violence.
"The pandemic has created a state of emergency," said Laleh Ispahani, the United States managing director for Open Society, a network of nonprofits founded by billionaire progressive donor George Soros. "Donors who haven't typically taken on these issues now have an interest."
How much will be spent is unclear because many of the organizations are nonprofits that won't disclose those details to the IRS until well after the election. Even then, many sources of money will remain unknown because such groups don't have to disclose their donors, commonly referred to as "dark money."
Tax filings, business records, and campaign finance disclosures offer some clues. They reveal vast infrastructure that funnels money from wealthy donors, through philanthropic organizations and political groups, which eventually trickles down to smaller nonprofits, many of which operate under murky circumstances.
On the conservative side, organizations including Judicial Watch, the Honest Elections Project, True the Vote, and the Public Interest Legal Foundation are litigating cases related to voting procedures across the U.S.
A substantial portion of the financing comes from Donors Trust, a nonprofit often referred to as the "dark money ATM" of the conservative movement. The organization helps wealthy patrons invest in causes they care about while sheltering their identities from the public.
In other instances, funding comes from charitable foundations built by the fortunes of Gilded Age industrialists.
Litigation is a primary focus. Democrats and good government organizations are pushing to eliminate hurdles to absentee voting, like requiring a witness's signature or allowing third parties to collect ballots.
Conservatives say that amounts to an invitation to commit voter fraud. As these issues wind their way through courts, they say judges could decide complex policy matters that often were already debated by state legislatures.
"The wrong way to go about this is to run to court, particularly a week or two before an election, trying to get judges to intervene and second-guess decisions legislatures have made," said Jason Snead, the executive director of the Honest Elections Project.
His organization is a newly formed offshoot of the Judicial Education Project, a group that previously focused on judicial appointments and received more than $25.3 million between 2016 and 2018 from the Donors Trust, records show. They are deeply intertwined with the conservative Catholic legal movement and share an attorney, William Consovoy, with the Republican National Committee, which has pledged $20 million for voting litigation.
Leonard Leo, a Trump confidant who was instrumental in the confirmations of the president's Supreme Court nominees, plays a leading role. He's now chairman of a public relations firm called CRC Advisors, which aims to become a new clearinghouse for anonymous donors to fund conservative causes, including the fight over vote by mail.
The firm played a significant role in the 2004 election by publicizing unfounded claims made by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth, which questioned Democratic nominee John Kerry's record as a Vietnam War hero, records show.
The group's involvement in vote by mail marks a sea change for Republicans. Claims of widespread voter fraud have long energized segments of the party's base. But it did not elicit much interest from donors, and the handful of groups devoted to the issue operated on minuscule budgets.
But in recent years, Democrats have mounted legal challenges that threatened voting laws championed by conservatives. And Mr. Trump's repeated focus on "rigged elections" has made the issue part of a broader culture war.
Still, some activists question the GOP establishment's commitment to the cause.
"They aren't going to take on Republicans like we have," said Catherine Engelbrecht, the founder of True the Vote.
While Republicans are focused on the courts and raising doubts about vote by mail, the challenge faced by Democrats is far more daunting.
In addition to litigation, they must mobilize their base during a pandemic. That includes educating the public about vote by mail, a difficult task when door-to-door canvasing isn't an option.
Some groups are donating directly to local governments. In Wisconsin, the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a nonprofit with ties to left-leaning philanthropy, has donated $6.3 million to the state's five largest cities to set up ballot drop boxes, help voters file absentee ballot requests, and expand in-person early voting.
Even before the pandemic, government funding for elections was limited. Since then, the outbreak has escalated costs while cratering tax revenue.
"Due to COVID, there definitely has been a higher cost," said Mayor John Antaramian, of Kenosha, which received $863,000 through the grant – roughly four times what the city budgeted for the election. "Is there a financial shortfall on that basis? Of course."
Much of the money on the left is likely to come from a series of nonprofit funds controlled by the consulting firm Arabella Advisors, which typically routes upward of $500 million a year to causes supported by liberal donors. The firm was founded by Eric Kessler, who served in Bill Clinton's White House.
The firm has been instrumental in financing so-called resistance groups following Mr. Trump's election. And some nonprofits they've provided seed money were responsible for millions of dollars in TV advertising that blistered Republicans during the 2018 midterms.
They've also pioneered the practice of creating "pop-up" organizations: groups that appear to be grassroots-driven efforts to influence public policy, which use trade names that obscure a deep pool of resources from those with ideological or financial motivations.
The firm recently registered a handful of trade names for groups that appear to be focused on voting rights, records show.
Another effort Arabella Advisors are involved in, the Trusted Elections Fund, aims to raise between $8 million and $10 million in case the pandemic leads to chaos in November.
The group is preparing for potential foreign hacking of state voting systems, "election day or post-election day violence," as well as contested results.
A Trusted Elections Fund representative declined to comment. But a two-page summary available online elaborated on their aims.
"Philanthropy has a responsibility to make sure that we are prepared for emergencies that could threaten our democracy," it read.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-27--ADA marks a milestone, and persistent inequalities

The Americans with Disabilities Act was a major turning point in opening large parts of U.S. society to disabled people , but three decades after its passage disabled workers still face higher unemployment than other adults – a problem compounded by the coronavirus pandemic .
Sunday marked 30 years since the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W .
Bush with wide bipartisan support .
It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as employment , transportation , and public accommodations .
In practice , that 's meant everything from usable public bathrooms to seats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The historically dominant view was that it was an individual problem that each person or family had to cope with on their own , '' said Douglas Kruse , an economist at Rutgers University who began using a wheelchair after a drunk driver crashed into him in 1990 .
`` The ADA represented a shift in perspective that a lot of the problems with disability are more societal and environmental . ''
That 's led to something simple but crucial : visibility .
`` It 's not uncommon to see people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they need to do , or want to do , in cities or in restaurants , '' said his wife Lisa Schur , a political scientist at Rutgers who studies disability and employment .
`` Before the ADA , it was unusual .
People would be stared at .
Now it 's more accepted . ''
The law was a hard-fought milestone that came after years of work from disabled people and their supporters , said Peter Berns , CEO of The Arc , which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still is , people with disabilities are subject to pervasive discrimination in employment and many aspects of life , so the work of the ADA is not done . ''
When it comes to employment , things were looking up in the booming June 2019 economy before the coronavirus hit .
Still , the unemployment rate was nearly 8 % – double that of other workers – even though a large majority said in surveys they can and want to work , Mr. Kruse said .
Those who are employed often hold low-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home health care , and janitorial work .
`` It really seems to be last hired , first fired , '' Ms. Schur said .
`` Even 30 years after the ADA , there 's still a lot of employer reluctance . ''
The situation has gotten worse during the pandemic .
The entire country is reeling from record unemployment and widespread layoffs as large sectors of the economy essentially shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus , but it 's even more pronounced among disabled people .
In June 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose to 16.5 % , compared to 11 % for workers without a disability , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
The ranks of the newly unemployed include Patrice Jetter of Hamilton , New Jersey .
She applied to be a crossing guard every year for 12 years before she was first hired in 1993 .
Ms. Jetter , who has cerebral palsy and partial hearing loss , wanted to work with kids when graduating from high school , but had little preparation for taking her SATs in special education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high enough for college .
She finally got her job after writing to the newly elected mayor .
She walked to work every day , even when snow kept her driving colleagues at home .
She loved joking with the elementary school kids who passed her with a vest and stop sign and wishing a good day to the drivers going past – including one woman who changed her route to work because Ms. Jetter 's smiles and waves brightened her morning .
`` Once you 've been a crossing guard , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy doing something else , '' she said .
But in March , Ms. Jetter and the rest of the crossing guards in Hamilton were laid off since the pandemic had shut down schools and kids were n't crossing the street .
`` I remember there were nights I did n't sleep I was so worried about falling behind on bills , '' she said .
She 's gotten by so far with help applying for benefits like unemployment and rent reductions and finding ways to pool her resources with other disabled friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear a mask and return to practicing her Special Olympics sport of skating , where the leg problems caused by the disease fade away as she glides along the ice .
But it 's still unclear whether schools will be able to reopen and allow her job to restart in the fall .
She 's worried about returning to the job market with a rush of other people also looking for work , many of whom wo n't have to deal with discrimination she 's encountered over the years as a disabled Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her optimism , ingenuity , and determination on her side .
`` The ADA has opened more doors for people with disabilities , '' she said .
`` There 's still a lot more that has to be worked on , but if we keep plugging away things are going to get better and better . ''
Advocates with groups such as The Arc are also pushing Congress to add more funding through Medicaid in the next coronavirus aid package for things like job coaches and transportation to help people such as Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them live independently and be more connected to their community .
The pandemic has meant millions of people are working from home , with accommodations that some disabled people have long been denied .
It 's shown that workers can be productive from home , though for those gains to translate effectively to the disabled community , access must be increased to the education and computers that make those careers possible , the professors said .
`` There may be a silver living , '' Mr. Kruse said .
`` Maybe this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work can be done . ''
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 .

The Americans with Disabilities Act was a major turning point in opening large parts of U.S. society to disabled people, but three decades after its passage disabled workers still face higher unemployment than other adults – a problem compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sunday marked 30 years since the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush with wide bipartisan support. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as employment, transportation, and public accommodations.
In practice, that's meant everything from usable public bathrooms to seats in movie theaters and access to public schools.
"The historically dominant view was that it was an individual problem that each person or family had to cope with on their own," said Douglas Kruse, an economist at Rutgers University who began using a wheelchair after a drunk driver crashed into him in 1990. "The ADA represented a shift in perspective that a lot of the problems with disability are more societal and environmental."
That's led to something simple but crucial: visibility.
"It's not uncommon to see people with wheelchairs or blind people out doing what they need to do, or want to do, in cities or in restaurants," said his wife Lisa Schur, a political scientist at Rutgers who studies disability and employment. "Before the ADA, it was unusual. People would be stared at. Now it's more accepted."
The law was a hard-fought milestone that came after years of work from disabled people and their supporters, said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Nevertheless, "the reality still is, people with disabilities are subject to pervasive discrimination in employment and many aspects of life, so the work of the ADA is not done."
When it comes to employment, things were looking up in the booming June 2019 economy before the coronavirus hit. Still, the unemployment rate was nearly 8% – double that of other workers – even though a large majority said in surveys they can and want to work, Mr. Kruse said. Those who are employed often hold low-level jobs in industries like food service, home health care, and janitorial work.
"It really seems to be last hired, first fired," Ms. Schur said. "Even 30 years after the ADA, there's still a lot of employer reluctance."
The situation has gotten worse during the pandemic. The entire country is reeling from record unemployment and widespread layoffs as large sectors of the economy essentially shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but it's even more pronounced among disabled people.
In June 2020, the unemployment rate for disabled people rose to 16.5%, compared to 11% for workers without a disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The ranks of the newly unemployed include Patrice Jetter of Hamilton, New Jersey. She applied to be a crossing guard every year for 12 years before she was first hired in 1993. Ms. Jetter, who has cerebral palsy and partial hearing loss, wanted to work with kids when graduating from high school, but had little preparation for taking her SATs in special education classes, so her scores weren't high enough for college.
She finally got her job after writing to the newly elected mayor. She walked to work every day, even when snow kept her driving colleagues at home.
She loved joking with the elementary school kids who passed her with a vest and stop sign and wishing a good day to the drivers going past – including one woman who changed her route to work because Ms. Jetter's smiles and waves brightened her morning.
"Once you've been a crossing guard, it's in you. You're never happy doing something else," she said.
But in March, Ms. Jetter and the rest of the crossing guards in Hamilton were laid off since the pandemic had shut down schools and kids weren't crossing the street.
"I remember there were nights I didn't sleep I was so worried about falling behind on bills," she said. She's gotten by so far with help applying for benefits like unemployment and rent reductions and finding ways to pool her resources with other disabled friends. She's also been able to wear a mask and return to practicing her Special Olympics sport of skating, where the leg problems caused by the disease fade away as she glides along the ice.
But it's still unclear whether schools will be able to reopen and allow her job to restart in the fall. She's worried about returning to the job market with a rush of other people also looking for work, many of whom won't have to deal with discrimination she's encountered over the years as a disabled Black woman.
Still, she's got her optimism, ingenuity, and determination on her side.
"The ADA has opened more doors for people with disabilities," she said. "There's still a lot more that has to be worked on, but if we keep plugging away things are going to get better and better."
Advocates with groups such as The Arc are also pushing Congress to add more funding through Medicaid in the next coronavirus aid package for things like job coaches and transportation to help people such as Ms. Jetter get back to jobs that can help them live independently and be more connected to their community.
The pandemic has meant millions of people are working from home, with accommodations that some disabled people have long been denied. It's shown that workers can be productive from home, though for those gains to translate effectively to the disabled community, access must be increased to the education and computers that make those careers possible, the professors said.
"There may be a silver living," Mr. Kruse said. "Maybe this will shake up the view of how work can be done."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-27--Is a vaccine coming? Large-scale tests, starting now, will tell.

The world ’ s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government – one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race .
There ’ s still no guarantee that the experimental vaccine , developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc. , will offer protection .
Volunteers won ’ t know if they ’ re getting the real shot or a dummy version - a placebo .
After two doses , scientists will closely track which group experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily routines , especially in areas where the virus still is spreading unchecked .
“ Unfortunately for the United States of America , we have plenty of infections right now ” to get that answer , NIH ’ s Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told The Associated Press .
Moderna said the vaccination was done in Savannah , Georgia , the first site to get underway among more than seven dozen trial sites scattered around the country .
Several other vaccines made by China and by Britain ’ s Oxford University earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hard-hit countries .
But the United States requires its own tests of any vaccine that might be used in the country and has set a high bar : Every month through fall , the government-funded COVID-19 Prevention Network will roll out a new study of a leading candidate – each one with 30,000 newly recruited volunteers .
The massive studies aren ’ t just to test if the shots work – they ’ re needed to check each potential vaccine ’ s safety .
And following the same study rules will let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Next up in August , the final study of the Oxford shot begins , followed by plans to test a candidate from Johnson & Johnson in September and Novavax in October – if all goes according to schedule .
Pfizer Inc. plans its own 30,000-person study this summer .
That ’ s a stunning number of people needed to roll up their sleeves for science .
But in recent weeks , more than 150,000 Americans filled out an online registry signaling interest , said Dr. Larry Corey , a virologist with the Fred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who helps oversee the study sites .
“ These trials need to be multigenerational , they need to be multiethnic , they need to reflect the diversity of the United States population , ” Dr. Corey told a vaccine meeting last week .
He stressed that it ’ s especially important to ensure enough Black and Hispanic participants as those populations are hard-hit by COVID-19 .
It normally takes years to create a new vaccine from scratch , but scientists are setting speed records this time around .
The coronavirus wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and vaccine makers sprang into action Jan. 10 when China shared the virus ’ genetic sequence .
Just 65 days later in March , the NIH-made vaccine was tested in people .
The first recipient is encouraging others to volunteer now .
“ We all feel so helpless right now .
There ’ s very little that we can do to combat this virus .
And being able to participate in this trial has given me a sense of , that I ’ m doing something , ” Jennifer Haller of Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a lot of questions from your friends and family about how it ’ s going , and a lot of thank-you ’ s. ” That first-stage study that included Ms. Haller and 44 others showed the shots revved up volunteers ’ immune systems in ways scientists expect will be protective , with some minor side effects such as a brief fever , chills , and pain at the injection site .
Early testing of other leading candidates have had similarly encouraging results .
If everything goes right with the final studies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first data to trickle in from the Moderna test , followed by the Oxford one .
Governments around the world are trying to stockpile millions of doses of those leading candidates so if and when regulators approve one or more vaccines , immunizations can begin immediately .
But the first available doses will be rationed , presumably reserved for people at highest risk from the virus .
“ We ’ re optimistic , cautiously optimistic ” that the vaccine will work and that “ toward the end of the year ” there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Hoge , president of Massachusetts-based Moderna , told a House subcommittee last week .
Until then , Ms. Haller , the volunteer vaccinated back in March , wears a mask in public and takes the same distancing precautions advised for everyone .
“ I don ’ t know what the chances are that this is the exact right vaccine .
But thank goodness that there are so many others out there battling this right now , ” she said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP photographer Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government – one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race.
There’s still no guarantee that the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will offer protection.
Volunteers won’t know if they’re getting the real shot or a dummy version - a placebo. After two doses, scientists will closely track which group experiences more infections as they go about their daily routines, especially in areas where the virus still is spreading unchecked.
“Unfortunately for the United States of America, we have plenty of infections right now” to get that answer, NIH’s Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told The Associated Press.
Moderna said the vaccination was done in Savannah, Georgia, the first site to get underway among more than seven dozen trial sites scattered around the country.
Several other vaccines made by China and by Britain’s Oxford University earlier this month began smaller final-stage tests in Brazil and other hard-hit countries.
But the United States requires its own tests of any vaccine that might be used in the country and has set a high bar: Every month through fall, the government-funded COVID-19 Prevention Network will roll out a new study of a leading candidate – each one with 30,000 newly recruited volunteers.
The massive studies aren’t just to test if the shots work – they’re needed to check each potential vaccine’s safety. And following the same study rules will let scientists eventually compare all the shots.
Next up in August, the final study of the Oxford shot begins, followed by plans to test a candidate from Johnson & Johnson in September and Novavax in October – if all goes according to schedule. Pfizer Inc. plans its own 30,000-person study this summer.
That’s a stunning number of people needed to roll up their sleeves for science. But in recent weeks, more than 150,000 Americans filled out an online registry signaling interest, said Dr. Larry Corey, a virologist with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seattle, who helps oversee the study sites.
“These trials need to be multigenerational, they need to be multiethnic, they need to reflect the diversity of the United States population,” Dr. Corey told a vaccine meeting last week. He stressed that it’s especially important to ensure enough Black and Hispanic participants as those populations are hard-hit by COVID-19.
It normally takes years to create a new vaccine from scratch, but scientists are setting speed records this time around. The coronavirus wasn’t even known to exist before late December, and vaccine makers sprang into action Jan. 10 when China shared the virus’ genetic sequence.
Just 65 days later in March, the NIH-made vaccine was tested in people. The first recipient is encouraging others to volunteer now.
“We all feel so helpless right now. There’s very little that we can do to combat this virus. And being able to participate in this trial has given me a sense of, that I’m doing something,” Jennifer Haller of Seattle told the AP. “Be prepared for a lot of questions from your friends and family about how it’s going, and a lot of thank-you’s.”
That first-stage study that included Ms. Haller and 44 others showed the shots revved up volunteers’ immune systems in ways scientists expect will be protective, with some minor side effects such as a brief fever, chills, and pain at the injection site. Early testing of other leading candidates have had similarly encouraging results.
If everything goes right with the final studies, it still will take months for the first data to trickle in from the Moderna test, followed by the Oxford one.
Governments around the world are trying to stockpile millions of doses of those leading candidates so if and when regulators approve one or more vaccines, immunizations can begin immediately. But the first available doses will be rationed, presumably reserved for people at highest risk from the virus.
“We’re optimistic, cautiously optimistic” that the vaccine will work and that “toward the end of the year” there will be data to prove it, Dr. Stephen Hoge, president of Massachusetts-based Moderna, told a House subcommittee last week.
Until then, Ms. Haller, the volunteer vaccinated back in March, wears a mask in public and takes the same distancing precautions advised for everyone.
“I don’t know what the chances are that this is the exact right vaccine. But thank goodness that there are so many others out there battling this right now,” she said.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP photographer Ted Warren in Seattle 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--2020-07-27--Sterilized pebbles and tracking bracelets: Downsized hajj begins

Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom 's oversight of one of Islam 's key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic .
The hajj , which begins on Wednesday , normally draws around 2.5 million people for five intense days of worship in one of the world 's largest gatherings of people from around the world .
This year , Saudi Arabia 's Hajj Ministry has said between 1,000 and 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will be allowed to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be from among foreign residents in Saudi Arabia and one-third will be Saudi citizens .
The kingdom has one of the Mideast 's largest outbreaks of the coronavirus , with more than 266,000 reported infections , including 2,733 deaths .
Fatin Daud , a Malaysian studying Arabic in Saudi Arabia , was among the select few whose application for hajj was approved .
After her selection , Saudi Health Ministry officials came to her home and tested her for the COVID-19 virus .
She was then given an electronic bracelet that monitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several days at home .
After that , Ms. Daud was moved to a hotel in Mecca , where she remains in self-isolation , still wearing the electronic wristband .
A large box of food is delivered to her hotel room three times a day as she prepares to begin the hajj .
“ It was unbelievable .
It felt surreal because I was not expecting to get it , '' she said of her excitement when she found out she was selected .
Ms. Daud said she 's praying for the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world .
“ I am confident that safety measures are being taken and that the only thing that we need to do as pilgrims is follow instructions , and try our best to support each other , '' she said .
While self-isolating has been emotionally challenging , Ms. Daud said she is part of a group of about 10 Malaysian and Singaporean pilgrims connecting online and sharing tips and religious exercises to keep busy .
The Saudi government is covering the expenses of all pilgrims this year , providing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and health care .
Normally , the hajj can cost thousands of dollars for pilgrims who save a lifetime for the journey .
It also generates billions of dollars in revenue each year for Saudi Arabia .
Saudi kings have for generations assumed titles as custodians of Islam ’ s holiest sites , and their oversight of the hajj is a source of prestige and influence among Muslims globally .
Saudi Arabia has never canceled the hajj in the nearly 90 years since the country was founded .
For the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad were permitted to take part in the hajj due to concerns about the coronavirus and overcrowding .
It 's a stark departure from previous years , when some 2 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries flocked to Mecca for the spiritual rituals , mostly from across Asia and Africa .
Although the hajj often draws all age groups , pilgrims this year were required to be between the ages of 20 and 50 , and in good health .
The physically demanding rituals of the hajj offer a profound experience for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their palms stretched toward the sky , in prayer and repentance .
The hajj is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in a lifetime .
This year , pilgrims must wear face masks and will only be able to drink holy water from the Zamzam well in Mecca that has been prepackaged in plastic bottles .
Pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged before being distributed to the pilgrims .
Pilgrims are also bringing their own prayer rugs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from one another , rather than packed shoulder-to-shoulder .
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 .

Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom's oversight of one of Islam's key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic.
The hajj, which begins on Wednesday, normally draws around 2.5 million people for five intense days of worship in one of the world's largest gatherings of people from around the world.
This year, Saudi Arabia's Hajj Ministry has said between 1,000 and 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage. Two-thirds of those pilgrims will be from among foreign residents in Saudi Arabia and one-third will be Saudi citizens.
The kingdom has one of the Mideast's largest outbreaks of the coronavirus, with more than 266,000 reported infections, including 2,733 deaths.
Fatin Daud, a Malaysian studying Arabic in Saudi Arabia, was among the select few whose application for hajj was approved. After her selection, Saudi Health Ministry officials came to her home and tested her for the COVID-19 virus. She was then given an electronic bracelet that monitors her movement and told to quarantine for several days at home.
After that, Ms. Daud was moved to a hotel in Mecca, where she remains in self-isolation, still wearing the electronic wristband. A large box of food is delivered to her hotel room three times a day as she prepares to begin the hajj.
“It was unbelievable. It felt surreal because I was not expecting to get it," she said of her excitement when she found out she was selected. Ms. Daud said she's praying for the end of COVID-19 and for unity among Muslims around the world.
“I am confident that safety measures are being taken and that the only thing that we need to do as pilgrims is follow instructions, and try our best to support each other," she said.
While self-isolating has been emotionally challenging, Ms. Daud said she is part of a group of about 10 Malaysian and Singaporean pilgrims connecting online and sharing tips and religious exercises to keep busy.
The Saudi government is covering the expenses of all pilgrims this year, providing them with meals, hotel accommodation, transportation, and health care. Normally, the hajj can cost thousands of dollars for pilgrims who save a lifetime for the journey. It also generates billions of dollars in revenue each year for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi kings have for generations assumed titles as custodians of Islam’s holiest sites, and their oversight of the hajj is a source of prestige and influence among Muslims globally. Saudi Arabia has never canceled the hajj in the nearly 90 years since the country was founded.
For the first time in Saudi history, no pilgrims from abroad were permitted to take part in the hajj due to concerns about the coronavirus and overcrowding. It's a stark departure from previous years, when some 2 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries flocked to Mecca for the spiritual rituals, mostly from across Asia and Africa.
Although the hajj often draws all age groups, pilgrims this year were required to be between the ages of 20 and 50, and in good health.
The physically demanding rituals of the hajj offer a profound experience for Muslims, with the faithful often weeping, their palms stretched toward the sky, in prayer and repentance. The hajj is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in a lifetime.
This year, pilgrims must wear face masks and will only be able to drink holy water from the Zamzam well in Mecca that has been prepackaged in plastic bottles. Pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged before being distributed to the pilgrims.
Pilgrims are also bringing their own prayer rugs and will be required to pray at a distance from one another, rather than packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
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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--2020-07-27--Monday Sunrise Briefing: Do federal agents make cities safer?

It ’ s a pattern we ’ ve seen sporadically for two months : large peaceful protests against racial injustice are followed by acts of vandalism and violence by fringe players .
This weekend , violence erupted in half-a-dozen U.S. cities .
From Seattle to Baltimore buildings and vehicles were damaged .
Most of the peaceful protests were described as opposing federal agents posted in Portland , Oregon .
This past week , President Trump unveiled “ Operation LeGend , ” to send federal agents to other U.S. cities that have seen a spike in violent crimes .
Former Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to “ entice those elements , small elements , to become the face of legitimate protests.
” Former N.J. Gov .
Chris Christie said on ABC ’ s “ This Week , ” that President Trump is right to send in federal agents “ if the mayors of those towns are too politically timid to address people who are defacing and destroying their cities , ” In Russia , the tension between local and national authorities brought tens of thousands of people into the streets of the Russian city of Khabarovsk Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor .
The unrest is in response to what residents see as Moscow usurping their local judicial system and simmering discontent with President Vladimir Putin .
2 .
First hurricane test .
South Texas was battered by rain , an unusually strong storm surge , and the 90 m.p.h .
winds of Hurricane Hanna this weekend , leaving about 150,000 homes without power .
Hanna was the first big test of coastal state plans to handle an emergency during the pandemic .
Gov .
Greg Abbott said Saturday that some people in need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep them apart from others .
Meanwhile , Hurricane Douglas , another Category 1 storm , passed close to Hawaii on Sunday .
3 .
Entertainment giants .
This weekend marked the passing of two entertainment giants : Olivia de Havilland and Regis Philbin .
De Havilland was perhaps best known for her role in the Civil War film “ Gone With the Wind.
” But the two-time Oscar winner was also a labor activist , who effectively challenged Hollywood ’ s studio system , which often locked actors into long-term , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit against Warner Bros. that became known as the “ De Havilland law.
” Philbin was one of television 's most durable and endearing personalities .
He was most recently known for the morning talk show , “ Live !
with Regis and Kelly ” ( 2001 - 2011 ) and as game show host on “ Who Wants to Be a Millianare.
” Philbin ’ s question to contestants , “ Is that your final answer ?
” became a national catchphrase .
The genial and relatable Philbin clocked more than 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guinness Book World Record for the most broadcast hours logged by a TV personality .
The best TV shows .
Nominations for the 72nd Emmy Awards are announced .
It will be the first major awards show held since the coronavirus pandemic was declared .
The show itself won ’ t be until September .
The Hajj begins .
First day of the annual Muslim pilgrimage , held under unprecedented restrictions and with no foreign pilgrims allowed because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Honoring John Lewis .
A lie-in-state service is scheduled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Economic boost ?
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to hold a press conference .
Amid signs of a struggling economy , he ’ s likely to announce steps to help the economy , including a cut in interest rates .
Mars , again .
NASA plans to launch the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover , designed to search for evidence of ancient microbial life .
It will also do climate and geology research to pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet .
The robotic scientist also will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first attempt at powered , controlled flight on another planet .
The NBA returns .
Men ’ s pro-basketballs resumes play with 22 teams ( out of 30 ) in Orlando .
Some 20 players did not travel with teams to the “ bubble ” after testing positive for the virus .
Federal help ends .
The CARES ( The Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ) Act - which allotted $ 600 weekly to unemployment benefits during the pandemic - expires Friday .
Congress is negotiating another economic stimulus package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be generous .
Each year on her birthday , she asks people to donate to a charity instead of giving her a present .
Her birthday isn ’ t until next month , but this year the giving started early .
On June 30 , she lost a tooth , and the next day the six-year-old found a $ 5 bill under her pillow .
Her parents , reports , the East Bay Times , suggested she could donate the $ 5 to her “ birthday charity.
” When the Soulard family learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close permanently , due to the lost revenue during the pandemic , the zoo officially became Andy ’ s birthday charity .
Kelly Soulard announced on Facebook that her daughter had donated $ 5 as seed money to raise $ 200 to help the zoo .
And Andy sweetened the deal by offering to make a bracelet for anyone donating $ 25 or more .
Andy ’ s generosity has been contagious .
She ’ s had to enlist classmates , family and friends to help her make more than 900 bracelets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you note with a drawing of an elephant ) .
She ’ s raised more than $ 216,000 For the zoo .
Oakland Zoo 's president , Dr. Joel Parrott .
calls Andy ’ s ability to turn $ 5 into $ 215,000 `` a gift . ''
`` We 've never seen anything like it , '' he told NPR .
The Oakland Zoo plans to reopen on July 29 .
And Andy just lost another tooth .
You can probably guess where the $ 5 in tooth-fairy money went .
Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired Monitor readers : In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our profile of Iman Khatib-Yasin , the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to be elected to Israel 's parliament .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • The feds take their Portland approach on the road .
Three questions .
• The Warsaw Ghetto curbed an epidemic .
Scientists now say they know how .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday news update .
Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

It’s a pattern we’ve seen sporadically for two months: large peaceful protests against racial injustice are followed by acts of vandalism and violence by fringe players. This weekend, violence erupted in half-a-dozen U.S. cities. From Seattle to Baltimore buildings and vehicles were damaged. Most of the peaceful protests were described as opposing federal agents posted in Portland, Oregon. This past week, President Trump unveiled “Operation LeGend,” to send federal agents to other U.S. cities that have seen a spike in violent crimes. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel said the president is trying to “entice those elements, small elements, to become the face of legitimate protests.” Former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie said on ABC’s “This Week,” that President Trump is right to send in federal agents “if the mayors of those towns are too politically timid to address people who are defacing and destroying their cities,”
In Russia, the tension between local and national authorities brought tens of thousands of people into the streets of the Russian city of Khabarovsk Saturday to protest the arrest of a regional governor. The unrest is in response to what residents see as Moscow usurping their local judicial system and simmering discontent with President Vladimir Putin.
2. First hurricane test. South Texas was battered by rain, an unusually strong storm surge, and the 90 m.p.h. winds of Hurricane Hanna this weekend, leaving about 150,000 homes without power. Hanna was the first big test of coastal state plans to handle an emergency during the pandemic. Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday that some people in need of shelter would be given hotel rooms to keep them apart from others. Meanwhile, Hurricane Douglas, another Category 1 storm, passed close to Hawaii on Sunday.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, July 27, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are three news events from this past weekend (while you may have been jet-skiing, out for a picnic, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
3. Entertainment giants. This weekend marked the passing of two entertainment giants: Olivia de Havilland and Regis Philbin. De Havilland was perhaps best known for her role in the Civil War film “Gone With the Wind.” But the two-time Oscar winner was also a labor activist, who effectively challenged Hollywood’s studio system, which often locked actors into long-term, punitive labor contracts. She won a lawsuit against Warner Bros. that became known as the “De Havilland law.”
Philbin was one of television's most durable and endearing personalities. He was most recently known for the morning talk show,“Live! with Regis and Kelly” (2001 - 2011) and as game show host on “Who Wants to Be a Millianare.” Philbin’s question to contestants,“Is that your final answer?” became a national catchphrase. The genial and relatable Philbin clocked more than 15,000 hours on the air, setting the Guinness Book World Record for the most broadcast hours logged by a TV personality.
REUTERS/Christopher Aluka Berry View caption Hide caption Honoring John Lewis: The casket of late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a pioneer of the civil rights movement, travels in a procession from Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, Sunday, July 26, 2020.
Look Ahead
Tuesday, July 28
The best TV shows. Nominations for the 72nd Emmy Awards are announced. It will be the first major awards show held since the coronavirus pandemic was declared. The show itself won’t be until September.
The Hajj begins. First day of the annual Muslim pilgrimage, held under unprecedented restrictions and with no foreign pilgrims allowed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Wednesday, July 29
Honoring John Lewis. A lie-in-state service is scheduled in Atlanta, followed by a funeral service Thursday.
Economic boost? Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to hold a press conference. Amid signs of a struggling economy, he’s likely to announce steps to help the economy, including a cut in interest rates.
Thursday, July 30
Mars, again. NASA plans to launch the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, designed to search for evidence of ancient microbial life. It will also do climate and geology research to pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet. The robotic scientist also will carry the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the first attempt at powered, controlled flight on another planet.
The NBA returns. Men’s pro-basketballs resumes play with 22 teams (out of 30) in Orlando. Some 20 players did not travel with teams to the “bubble” after testing positive for the virus.
Friday, July 31
Federal help ends. The CARES (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act - which allotted $600 weekly to unemployment benefits during the pandemic - expires Friday. Congress is negotiating another economic stimulus package.
Generosity Watch
Courtesy of Kelly Soulard View caption Hide caption Six-year-old Andy Soulard shows off one of the bracelets she makes for each person who donates $25 or more to the Oakland Zoo.
Andy Soulard is being raised to be generous.
Each year on her birthday, she asks people to donate to a charity instead of giving her a present. Her birthday isn’t until next month, but this year the giving started early.
On June 30, she lost a tooth, and the next day the six-year-old found a $5 bill under her pillow. Her parents, reports, the East Bay Times, suggested she could donate the $5 to her “birthday charity.”
When the Soulard family learned that the Oakland Zoo might have to close permanently, due to the lost revenue during the pandemic, the zoo officially became Andy’s birthday charity.
Kelly Soulard announced on Facebook that her daughter had donated $5 as seed money to raise $200 to help the zoo. And Andy sweetened the deal by offering to make a bracelet for anyone donating $25 or more.
Andy’s generosity has been contagious. She’s had to enlist classmates, family and friends to help her make more than 900 bracelets for donors (and she includes a thank you note with a drawing of an elephant). She’s raised more than $216,000 For the zoo.
Oakland Zoo's president, Dr. Joel Parrott. calls Andy’s ability to turn $5 into $215,000 "a gift." "We've never seen anything like it," he told NPR.
The Oakland Zoo plans to reopen on July 29.
And Andy just lost another tooth. You can probably guess where the $5 in tooth-fairy money went.
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
99 days, 4 lives, 1 pandemic: South Africa in lockdown
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our profile of Iman Khatib-Yasin, the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to be elected to Israel's parliament.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday news update. Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think. Thank you!


csmonitor--2020-07-28--The best audiobooks of July provide an escape

The best audiobooks of July include a new adventure for a beloved detective , a memoir about learning to surf , and two novels that explore assumptions about race using the lens of humor .
“ Sherlock Holmes : The Voice of Treason ” by George Mann and Cavan Scott Full cast recording ; Audible Studios ; eight hours At the heart of this entertaining romp is a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria and eventually undermine the entire British Empire .
In a fine ensemble of voice actors , Nicholas Boulton is a standout as Holmes , boasting an authoritative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This story is reminiscent of an old-time radio drama , complete with sound effects , lots of voices , and music .
Expect twists and plenty of intrigue in a tale that is very close to Arthur Conan Doyle ’ s original mysteries .
Grade : A- “ Rockaway : Surfing Headlong Into a New Life ” by Diane Cardwell Read by the author ; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ; eight hours and 10 minutes Diane Cardwell has a comfortable , inviting style that makes it easy for listeners to slide into this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not do her words justice , as she is more than a little unpolished , but her journey is a delight .
In midlife , after a divorce , Cardwell moved to Rockaway , a community in the Queens area of New York .
She learned to surf , bought a bungalow , survived Hurricane Sandy , and found an authentic circle of friends among the bohemians and surf enthusiasts living by the beach .
Grade : B+ “ Members Only ” by Sameer Pandya Read by Sunil Malhotra ; Houghton Mifflin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sameer Pandya uses humor to examine and deconstruct American racism in this fictional narrative .
Bombay-born Raj is a U.S. citizen juggling marriage , parenthood , and a difficult work environment – all while trying to devote time to his tennis club , where he and his family are the only people of color .
His life implodes when he inadvertently makes a racist joke while interviewing an African American couple for prospective membership at the club ; eventually , the white members blow everything out of proportion and turn on him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fumbling , frustrated protagonist at the heart of this insightful debut novel .
Grade : B+ “ Black Card ” by Chris L. Terry Read by Leon Nixon ; HighBridge Audio ; six hours and 20 minutes Author Chris L. Terry deserves credit for skillfully juggling pathos , humor , and anger in a novel that captures the pigeonholing experienced by biracial people trying to fit into a society that looks for either/or categorization .
Terry ’ s nameless narrator , born to a Black father and a white mother , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pass ” for white .
While playing in a punk band , he tries to find his footing as a Black man in a country that would have him camouflage into white culture ; listeners will note certain similarities between Terry ’ s life and the journey of his fictional narrator .
The story is powerful and entertaining , and Leon Nixon smoothly delivers Terry ’ s sly humor , perfectly capturing the roiling emotions of a young man searching for his truest self .
Grade : B+

The best audiobooks of July include a new adventure for a beloved detective, a memoir about learning to surf, and two novels that explore assumptions about race using the lens of humor.
“Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason” by George Mann and Cavan Scott
Full cast recording; Audible Studios; eight hours
At the heart of this entertaining romp is a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria and eventually undermine the entire British Empire. In a fine ensemble of voice actors, Nicholas Boulton is a standout as Holmes, boasting an authoritative manner and sense of the dramatic. This story is reminiscent of an old-time radio drama, complete with sound effects, lots of voices, and music. Expect twists and plenty of intrigue in a tale that is very close to Arthur Conan Doyle’s original mysteries. Grade: A-
“Rockaway: Surfing Headlong Into a New Life” by Diane Cardwell
Read by the author; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; eight hours and 10 minutes
Diane Cardwell has a comfortable, inviting style that makes it easy for listeners to slide into this story of loss and renewal. Her narration does not do her words justice, as she is more than a little unpolished, but her journey is a delight. In midlife, after a divorce, Cardwell moved to Rockaway, a community in the Queens area of New York. She learned to surf, bought a bungalow, survived Hurricane Sandy, and found an authentic circle of friends among the bohemians and surf enthusiasts living by the beach. Grade: B+
“Members Only” by Sameer Pandya
Read by Sunil Malhotra; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 10 hours and 30 minutes
Sameer Pandya uses humor to examine and deconstruct American racism in this fictional narrative. Bombay-born Raj is a U.S. citizen juggling marriage, parenthood, and a difficult work environment – all while trying to devote time to his tennis club, where he and his family are the only people of color. His life implodes when he inadvertently makes a racist joke while interviewing an African American couple for prospective membership at the club; eventually, the white members blow everything out of proportion and turn on him. Narrator Sunil Malhotra perfectly captures the warmhearted, fumbling, frustrated protagonist at the heart of this insightful debut novel. Grade: B+
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“Black Card” by Chris L. Terry
Read by Leon Nixon; HighBridge Audio; six hours and 20 minutes
Author Chris L. Terry deserves credit for skillfully juggling pathos, humor, and anger in a novel that captures the pigeonholing experienced by biracial people trying to fit into a society that looks for either/or categorization. Terry’s nameless narrator, born to a Black father and a white mother, has ginger hair and green eyes and can “pass” for white. While playing in a punk band, he tries to find his footing as a Black man in a country that would have him camouflage into white culture; listeners will note certain similarities between Terry’s life and the journey of his fictional narrator. The story is powerful and entertaining, and Leon Nixon smoothly delivers Terry’s sly humor, perfectly capturing the roiling emotions of a young man searching for his truest self. Grade: B+


csmonitor--2020-07-28--Under cover of COVID, ISIS is seeking a comeback

“ Although the U.S.-led coalition focused on containing and dismantling ISIS , they never addressed the root grievances in Arab countries that allowed its rise in the first place , ” he says .
“ Coronavirus is now laying these bare once again and exacerbating them.
” “ ISIS focuses on exposing the same failures in a country that the coronavirus is now exposing : collapse of the nation-state , weak security , and deep economic , political , cultural , and sectarian crises , ” says Hassan Abu Haniya , an expert in Islamist and extremist movements .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are highlighting what they call a “ symmetry ” between ISIS and the vicious coronavirus .
The pandemic amplifies , they say , what ISIS attempts to achieve through its attacks and propaganda .
Its ranks boast around 10,000 fighters , according to U.N. and analysts ’ estimates .
Alarming experts is its ability to move freely between eastern Syria and western Iraq , entering villages with relative ease .
Three years after the destruction of its so-called caliphate by a United States-led coalition , and with the world distracted by a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength , staging dozens of attacks since March in Arab countries and West Africa .
The Islamic State is eyeing a comeback on the battlefield and the world stage , testing a fragile global community that is combating the coronavirus and distracted from its fight against extremism .
ISIS is taking advantage of the pandemic ’ s burden on local governments and world powers ’ inward focus to step up attacks and pitch to new recruits , the United Nations and experts warn , and reemerge from the hinterlands to strike in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ISIS exposes not only the fragility of the status quo , but the extremist group ’ s evolution as a movement .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
Three years after the destruction of its so-called caliphate and the dismantling of its organizational leadership by an American-led coalition , ISIS has since March shown renewed strength , staging dozens of attacks in Iraq , Syria , Egypt , and West Africa .
“ From approximately March 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a factor in ISIL operational , propaganda , and fundraising activities , ” the U.N. Security Council was warned last week .
ISIS is “ consolidating in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic , ” said a U.N. report to the Council , “ and showing confidence in its ability to increasingly operate in a brazen manner in its core area.
” Alarming experts is ISIS ’ s ability to move freely between eastern Syria and western Iraq – territory that once fell under its “ caliphate ” – entering towns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boast around 10,000 fighters , according to U.N. and analysts ’ estimates .
“ The pandemic came at a time with preexisting conditions on the ground in Iraq and Syria that allowed ISIS to benefit , ” says Hassan Hassan , director of the Non-State Actors and Geopolitics program at the Washington-based Center for Global Policy .
“ Namely , the pandemic came amid already existing political and security issues in Iraq and Syria and a vacuum left behind by the Trump administration , ” he adds .
“ Add to this the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last thing on people ’ s minds was ISIS.
” Iraq has struggled with a surge in coronavirus cases .
And across Syria , despite government statistics claiming the contrary , the virus is ravaging communities , according to citizens , the U.N. , and health officials in neighboring states .
Syria and Lebanon are also witnessing economic collapse , and in much of the Arab world , populations are struggling under lockdown-imposed economic costs and rising joblessness .
With health sectors and economies crumbling , experts are highlighting what they call a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the vicious virus .
COVID-19 amplifies , they say , what ISIS attempts to achieve through its attacks and propaganda , exposing inequality , communities ’ disenfranchisement , and the failures of the state .
“ ISIS focuses on exposing the same failures in a country that the coronavirus is now exposing : collapse of the nation-state , weak security , and deep economic , political , cultural , and sectarian crises , ” says Hassan Abu Haniya , an Amman-based Jordanian expert in Islamist and extremist movements .
“ Although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS , they never addressed the root grievances in Arab countries that allowed its rise in the first place , ” he says .
“ Coronavirus is now laying these bare once again and exacerbating them.
” In Iraq , political and security setbacks are lowering the resistance to ISIS .
Sectarian infighting among and between Shiite , Kurdish , and Sunni militias has created local power vacuums , allowing ISIS to fill back in , including north of Baghdad and in the disputed areas near Iraqi Kurdistan , experts and analysts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new prime minister , Mustafa al-Kadhimi , is consumed with an uphill battle against powerful Shiite militias unwilling to lay down their arms or accept central government authority .
In Baghdad , protests against corruption and militias ’ influence continue .
Meanwhile , joint operations against ISIS with U.S. forces have largely come to a standstill amid the tensions with Iran-backed militias following the January assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad .
Not only did the U.S. strike disrupt America ’ s fragile common cause with Shiite militias against ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenge attacks that prompted U.S. forces to retreat to non-frontline bases , crucially forcing a halt to U.S.-Iraqi and U.S.-Kurdish operations .
The U.S. expertise in counter-insurgency operations is needed now to stem ISIS ’ s resurgence and is especially missed , analysts note .
“ The fact that ISIS can operate almost freely in a massive and expansive space in Iraq and Syria without popular support says a lot about how Iraq can not secure itself … without current American involvement , ” says Mr. Hassan at the Center for Global Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t forget that ISIS has gone through this phase and metamorphosis before , ” he says .
“ In 2009 , after the U.S. surge and the Sunni ‘ Sahwa ’ awakening movements drove Al Qaeda in Iraq to the desert in the hinterlands , it reorganized , adapted and waited to stage a comeback as ISIS in 2014 , ” he notes .
ISIS has also used the pandemic as a diversion to expand further into West Africa and the Sahel , using a network of surrogate groups and affiliates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces in a way that experts say mirrors the rise of the caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014 .
ISIS affiliate Boko Haram , under the umbrella Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP ) , is expanding territory in Nigeria , Niger , and Chad ; ISIS affiliate Islamic State in the Greater Sahara ( ISGS ) is extending in Niger and Mali .
March 23 saw twin attacks by ISIS affiliates killing a combined 160 soldiers on both sides of the Nigerian-Chad border .
This April saw the bloody arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province , ” with affiliates waging their first large-scale attack in Mozambique , massacring 50 villagers on April 7 , and the same day killing seven civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
With the global preoccupation with COVID-19 , West and Sub-Saharan Africa has seen ISIS strategy evolve from “ filling the gaps ” where international presence was weak to creating connected territories and a public presence in communities and villages .
“ West African states show much more potential because the conditions are ripe for a bigger presence , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rise in Syria .
“ It almost looks like 2013 in Iraq and Syria .
ISIS can move freely , control territory , and they can work with locals who do not have the knowledge of their brutality that Iraqis and Syrians have.
” Combined with its activities in the Arab world , ISIS ’ s Africa presence has given it a new hybrid model : an ever-shifting insurgency on the move in Syria and Iraq , and held territory in Africa where militias are able to extract resources , funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities for these terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State to step in and provide alternative services and gain legitimacy in some of these populations , ” says Nikita Malik , director of the Centre on Radicalisation and Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society , a trans-Atlantic think tank based in London .
ISIS ’ s bold re-emergence is not only taking place on the battlefield .
In a world consumed with the coronavirus , with economies crumbling , lives halted , and people losing hope for the future , groups such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts say .
“ You have people out of work , you have isolation , people staying at home and going on the internet and searching for a rationale why this has happened , ” says Ms. Malik , noting that “ conspiracy theories are increasing [ that are ] blaming groups and communities for the pandemic.
” “ It is a toxic mix , and what we might be seeing in the long term are spikes in both extremism and terrorism , ” she says .
ISIS ’ s online propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retribution ” against the West and highlighted states ’ failures .
“ What we are seeing is not COVID replacing terrorism concerns , but adding to terrorism concerns , ” Ms. Malik says .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

“Although the U.S.-led coalition focused on containing and dismantling ISIS, they never addressed the root grievances in Arab countries that allowed its rise in the first place,” he says. “Coronavirus is now laying these bare once again and exacerbating them.”
“ISIS focuses on exposing the same failures in a country that the coronavirus is now exposing: collapse of the nation-state, weak security, and deep economic, political, cultural, and sectarian crises,” says Hassan Abu Haniya, an expert in Islamist and extremist movements.
With health sectors and economies crumbling, analysts are highlighting what they call a “symmetry” between ISIS and the vicious coronavirus. The pandemic amplifies, they say, what ISIS attempts to achieve through its attacks and propaganda.
Can countries battle two scourges at once? For ISIS, the world’s preoccupation with the global coronavirus pandemic and neglect of the battle against extremism have created opportunities it is poised to seize.
Its ranks boast around 10,000 fighters, according to U.N. and analysts’ estimates. Alarming experts is its ability to move freely between eastern Syria and western Iraq, entering villages with relative ease.
Three years after the destruction of its so-called caliphate by a United States-led coalition, and with the world distracted by a pandemic, the Islamic State has shown renewed strength, staging dozens of attacks since March in Arab countries and West Africa.
The Islamic State is eyeing a comeback on the battlefield and the world stage, testing a fragile global community that is combating the coronavirus and distracted from its fight against extremism.
ISIS is taking advantage of the pandemic’s burden on local governments and world powers’ inward focus to step up attacks and pitch to new recruits, the United Nations and experts warn, and reemerge from the hinterlands to strike in the Arab world and Africa.
The reawakening of ISIS exposes not only the fragility of the status quo, but the extremist group’s evolution as a movement.
Why We Wrote This Can countries battle two scourges at once? For ISIS, the world’s preoccupation with the global coronavirus pandemic and neglect of the battle against extremism have created opportunities it is poised to seize.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Three years after the destruction of its so-called caliphate and the dismantling of its organizational leadership by an American-led coalition, ISIS has since March shown renewed strength, staging dozens of attacks in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and West Africa.
“From approximately March 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic became a factor in ISIL operational, propaganda, and fundraising activities,” the U.N. Security Council was warned last week.
ISIS is “consolidating in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic,” said a U.N. report to the Council, “and showing confidence in its ability to increasingly operate in a brazen manner in its core area.”
Alarming experts is ISIS’s ability to move freely between eastern Syria and western Iraq – territory that once fell under its “caliphate” – entering towns and villages with relative ease. Its ranks boast around 10,000 fighters, according to U.N. and analysts’ estimates.
“The pandemic came at a time with preexisting conditions on the ground in Iraq and Syria that allowed ISIS to benefit,” says Hassan Hassan, director of the Non-State Actors and Geopolitics program at the Washington-based Center for Global Policy.
“Namely, the pandemic came amid already existing political and security issues in Iraq and Syria and a vacuum left behind by the Trump administration,” he adds. “Add to this the fact that with the pandemic, the last thing on people’s minds was ISIS.”
COVID as catalyst
Iraq has struggled with a surge in coronavirus cases. And across Syria, despite government statistics claiming the contrary, the virus is ravaging communities, according to citizens, the U.N., and health officials in neighboring states.
Syria and Lebanon are also witnessing economic collapse, and in much of the Arab world, populations are struggling under lockdown-imposed economic costs and rising joblessness.
With health sectors and economies crumbling, experts are highlighting what they call a “symmetry” between the militant group and the vicious virus.
COVID-19 amplifies, they say, what ISIS attempts to achieve through its attacks and propaganda, exposing inequality, communities’ disenfranchisement, and the failures of the state.
“ISIS focuses on exposing the same failures in a country that the coronavirus is now exposing: collapse of the nation-state, weak security, and deep economic, political, cultural, and sectarian crises,” says Hassan Abu Haniya, an Amman-based Jordanian expert in Islamist and extremist movements.
“Although the U.S.-led coalition focused on containing and dismantling ISIS, they never addressed the root grievances in Arab countries that allowed its rise in the first place,” he says. “Coronavirus is now laying these bare once again and exacerbating them.”
Divisions in Iraq
In Iraq, political and security setbacks are lowering the resistance to ISIS.
Sectarian infighting among and between Shiite, Kurdish, and Sunni militias has created local power vacuums, allowing ISIS to fill back in, including north of Baghdad and in the disputed areas near Iraqi Kurdistan, experts and analysts say.
And the Iraqi government, under a new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, is consumed with an uphill battle against powerful Shiite militias unwilling to lay down their arms or accept central government authority.
In Baghdad, protests against corruption and militias’ influence continue.
Meanwhile, joint operations against ISIS with U.S. forces have largely come to a standstill amid the tensions with Iran-backed militias following the January assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.
Not only did the U.S. strike disrupt America’s fragile common cause with Shiite militias against ISIS, but it triggered a wave of revenge attacks that prompted U.S. forces to retreat to non-frontline bases, crucially forcing a halt to U.S.-Iraqi and U.S.-Kurdish operations. The U.S. expertise in counter-insurgency operations is needed now to stem ISIS’s resurgence and is especially missed, analysts note.
“The fact that ISIS can operate almost freely in a massive and expansive space in Iraq and Syria without popular support says a lot about how Iraq cannot secure itself … without current American involvement,” says Mr. Hassan at the Center for Global Policy.
Mr. Abu Haniya, the Jordanian expert, takes a longer view.
“The West and the world shouldn’t forget that ISIS has gone through this phase and metamorphosis before,” he says.
“In 2009, after the U.S. surge and the Sunni ‘Sahwa’ awakening movements drove Al Qaeda in Iraq to the desert in the hinterlands, it reorganized, adapted and waited to stage a comeback as ISIS in 2014,” he notes.
“This is history repeating itself.”
Ludovic Marin/AP View caption Hide caption French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, listens as Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, third right, speaks during the G5 Sahel summit on June 30, 2020, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The five countries of the Sahel region south of the Sahara – Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger – have formed a joint military force that is working with France to battle Islamic extremists as jihadist attacks mount.
Africa push
ISIS has also used the pandemic as a diversion to expand further into West Africa and the Sahel, using a network of surrogate groups and affiliates to connect cross-border territories and overwhelm local forces in a way that experts say mirrors the rise of the caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
ISIS affiliate Boko Haram, under the umbrella Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), is expanding territory in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad; ISIS affiliate Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) is extending in Niger and Mali.
March 23 saw twin attacks by ISIS affiliates killing a combined 160 soldiers on both sides of the Nigerian-Chad border.
This April saw the bloody arrival of ISIS’s “central African province,” with affiliates waging their first large-scale attack in Mozambique, massacring 50 villagers on April 7, and the same day killing seven civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With the global preoccupation with COVID-19, West and Sub-Saharan Africa has seen ISIS strategy evolve from “filling the gaps” where international presence was weak to creating connected territories and a public presence in communities and villages.
“West African states show much more potential because the conditions are ripe for a bigger presence,” says Mr. Hassan, who chronicled ISIS’s rise in Syria.
“It almost looks like 2013 in Iraq and Syria. ISIS can move freely, control territory, and they can work with locals who do not have the knowledge of their brutality that Iraqis and Syrians have.”
Combined with its activities in the Arab world, ISIS’s Africa presence has given it a new hybrid model: an ever-shifting insurgency on the move in Syria and Iraq, and held territory in Africa where militias are able to extract resources, funds, and recruits.
“These are opportunities for these terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State to step in and provide alternative services and gain legitimacy in some of these populations,” says Nikita Malik, director of the Centre on Radicalisation and Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society, a trans-Atlantic think tank based in London.
Battle for ideas
ISIS’s bold re-emergence is not only taking place on the battlefield.
In a world consumed with the coronavirus, with economies crumbling, lives halted, and people losing hope for the future, groups such as ISIS are making a pitch for followers, experts say.
“You have people out of work, you have isolation, people staying at home and going on the internet and searching for a rationale why this has happened,” says Ms. Malik, noting that “conspiracy theories are increasing [that are] blaming groups and communities for the pandemic.”
“It is a toxic mix, and what we might be seeing in the long term are spikes in both extremism and terrorism,” she says.
ISIS’s online propaganda has depicted the coronavirus as “divine retribution” against the West and highlighted states’ failures.
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“What we are seeing is not COVID replacing terrorism concerns, but adding to terrorism concerns,” Ms. Malik says.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.