csmonitor--2020-10-22--Cooking at home? Try new takes on old favorites, or travel the world.

Are those extra boxes of noodles or cans of tomatoes that you bought early in the pandemic still sitting in your cupboard ?
Could you use a little more color and spice in your life ?
A raft of recent cookbooks brings out your inner chef with recipes that make use of pantry items , take your baking to a new level , and introduce you to flavors from many regions .
Get ready to roll up your sleeves .
It ’ s an open secret that many people would rather read a cookbook and order takeout than actually try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more time to be patient and courageous in the kitchen .
And with restaurants closing or serving meals only outdoors , more cupboard doors at home are swinging open these days .
Social media feeds have been filled with images of “ pandemic baking ” – beautiful round loaves of sourdough , elaborately styled finger foods for grazing , and dinners for the family proudly made by teenagers .
On cue , here comes a harvest of new cookbooks .
There may be no sourdough recipes in this roundup , but there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transcend the confines of your kitchen .
Stocking the pantry seems simple enough , but what to make with all of those cans of chickpeas and boxes of pasta ?
Emily Stephenson offers a friendly guide in “ Pantry to Plate : Kitchen Staples for Simple and Easy Cooking ” with her recommended 50 staple ingredients and 70 recipes that mix and match only those ingredients .
She suggests a pared-down protein list : eggs , bone-in chicken thighs , tuna , Italian sausage , and tofu .
But there is plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Easy-to-follow recipes are grouped into chapters by meal type , including nine recipes that move eggs out of a scrambled rut .
Stephenson also curates the recipes for meal planning on the go with categories such as quick weeknight meals , family-friendly , vegan , make ahead , and even dishes to impress dinner guests .
If you are a beginner cook or just looking for fresh ideas , this collection will help take the stress out of mealtimes .
Advance your pandemic baking repertoire beyond yeasty loaves of bread with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Good Book of Southern Baking : A Revival of Biscuits , Cakes , and Cornbread.
” Fields , a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and owner of New Orleans bakery Willa Jean , reimagines quick breads , muffins , biscuits , cookies , and every kind of pie and tart in such mouthwatering ways you ’ ll be reaching for those baking pans before turning the last page .
Think chocolate chip cookies can ’ t be improved ?
Fields spent two years perfecting her Willa Jean recipe with three kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salt .
She breaks down old favorites like pumpkin pie and builds them back stronger : pumpkin pie with roasted white chocolate cream .
See ?
You can ’ t resist .
Roll up those sleeves and set the oven to preheat .
Fields , with her humorous , no-nonsense talk about the best flours , flavors , and strategies will soon have you laughing and baking “ ALL the pies.
” As she says , baking should be simple and fun .
Asha Gomez grew up along the beaches of southwest India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international farmers markets in Atlanta .
In “ I Cook in Color : Bright Flavors From My Kitchen and Around the World , ” by Gomez and Martha Hall Foose , the focus is on color in selecting ingredients and preparing meals .
Gomez provides a wide palette of Southeast Asian cuisine , American South comfort food , and classic European dishes , plus lots of colorful vegetable dishes such as roasted butternut squash with tomato-ginger gravy or rainbow chard and kabocha pumpkin bean soup .
But what ’ s particularly tantalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sip and Savor , ” which features concoctions like a soothing warm turmeric milk sweetened with honey and sprinkled with cardamom , and a fruity mint tea with peach ice cubes .
Gomez has created a feast for the eyes and a how-to for the world traveler who likes to cook at home .
Traveling offers the rewards of not only exciting new vistas , but also unfamiliar tastes and smells .
What if you were ushered into the kitchen of a friendly grandma who wanted to teach you her favorite dishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enjoy .
That ’ s the experience of “ In Bibi ’ s Kitchen : The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers From the Eight African Countries That Touch the Indian Ocean , ” by Hawa Hassan , a Somali chef , and Julia Turshen , a cookbook author .
The two present 75 recipes and stories gathered from “ bibis ” from South Africa , Mozambique , Madagascar , Comoros , Tanzania , Kenya , Somalia , and Eritrea .
These are recipes from home cooks whose priority is to please their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fancy equipment is required , but you ’ ll learn about the widely used berbere spice mix ( made up of dried chiles and warm spices ) and how to make flatbreads in a skillet .
And there are a few surprises , too , such as the appearance of Italian-influenced dishes like lasagna .
The storytelling and gorgeous photos emanate hospitality and warmth , bringing these global neighbors one step closer .
Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson delivers his seventh cookbook hot off the press of current events : a pandemic that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter protests .
Samuelsson , an Ethiopian-born , Swedish-raised chef and American restaurant owner , strives to lift up the profiles of Black chefs in “ The Rise : Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food ” by sharing their recipes and stories .
African and Caribbean culinary influences run throughout , as do classic Southern approaches .
Because these recipes are from chefs , prepare to up your game and get curious about spicy heat and flavors .
( Fermented shrimp paste appears with surprising regularity . )
Samuelsson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , podcasters , and authors about the meaning of food in the Black community .
The cumulative effect moves the conversation beyond the stereotype of “ soul food ” and into a creative , adaptable , and dynamic portfolio of emerging American recipes .

More people are making food at home during the pandemic, and they’re seeking inspiration. The desire to nourish loved ones and oneself can spur creativity, whether building meals from pantry staples or exploring cuisines from around the world.
Are those extra boxes of noodles or cans of tomatoes that you bought early in the pandemic still sitting in your cupboard? Could you use a little more color and spice in your life? A raft of recent cookbooks brings out your inner chef with recipes that make use of pantry items, take your baking to a new level, and introduce you to flavors from many regions. Get ready to roll up your sleeves.
It’s an open secret that many people would rather read a cookbook and order takeout than actually try new recipes. But lockdowns have provided more time to be patient and courageous in the kitchen. And with restaurants closing or serving meals only outdoors, more cupboard doors at home are swinging open these days. Social media feeds have been filled with images of “pandemic baking” – beautiful round loaves of sourdough, elaborately styled finger foods for grazing, and dinners for the family proudly made by teenagers. On cue, here comes a harvest of new cookbooks. There may be no sourdough recipes in this roundup, but there are plenty of invitations to experiment with flavors and transcend the confines of your kitchen.
Meals from pantry staples
Stocking the pantry seems simple enough, but what to make with all of those cans of chickpeas and boxes of pasta? Emily Stephenson offers a friendly guide in “Pantry to Plate: Kitchen Staples for Simple and Easy Cooking” with her recommended 50 staple ingredients and 70 recipes that mix and match only those ingredients. She suggests a pared-down protein list: eggs, bone-in chicken thighs, tuna, Italian sausage, and tofu. But there is plenty here to please the vegetarian cook, too.
Chronicle Books View caption Hide caption “Pantry to Plate: Kitchen Staples for Simple and Easy Cooking” by Emily Stephenson, Chronicle Books, 208 pp.
Why We Wrote This More people are making food at home during the pandemic, and they’re seeking inspiration. The desire to nourish loved ones and oneself can spur creativity, whether building meals from pantry staples or exploring cuisines from around the world.
Easy-to-follow recipes are grouped into chapters by meal type, including nine recipes that move eggs out of a scrambled rut. Stephenson also curates the recipes for meal planning on the go with categories such as quick weeknight meals, family-friendly, vegan, make ahead, and even dishes to impress dinner guests. If you are a beginner cook or just looking for fresh ideas, this collection will help take the stress out of mealtimes.
Irresistible baked goods
Advance your pandemic baking repertoire beyond yeasty loaves of bread with Kelly Fields and Kate Heddings’ “The Good Book of Southern Baking: A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread.” Fields, a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and owner of New Orleans bakery Willa Jean, reimagines quick breads, muffins, biscuits, cookies, and every kind of pie and tart in such mouthwatering ways you’ll be reaching for those baking pans before turning the last page.
Lorena Jones Books View caption Hide caption “The Good Book of Southern Baking: A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread” by Kelly Fields and Kate Heddings, Lorena Jones Books, 336 pp.
Think chocolate chip cookies can’t be improved? Fields spent two years perfecting her Willa Jean recipe with three kinds of coarsely chopped chocolate and finished with sea salt. She breaks down old favorites like pumpkin pie and builds them back stronger: pumpkin pie with roasted white chocolate cream. See? You can’t resist. Roll up those sleeves and set the oven to preheat. Fields, with her humorous, no-nonsense talk about the best flours, flavors, and strategies will soon have you laughing and baking “ALL the pies.” As she says, baking should be simple and fun.
Cooking by color
Asha Gomez grew up along the beaches of southwest India and today navigates the bountiful displays of the international farmers markets in Atlanta. In “I Cook in Color: Bright Flavors From My Kitchen and Around the World,” by Gomez and Martha Hall Foose, the focus is on color in selecting ingredients and preparing meals. Gomez provides a wide palette of Southeast Asian cuisine, American South comfort food, and classic European dishes, plus lots of colorful vegetable dishes such as roasted butternut squash with tomato-ginger gravy or rainbow chard and kabocha pumpkin bean soup.
Running Press Adult View caption Hide caption “I Cook in Color: Bright Flavors From My Kitchen and Around the World” by Asha Gomez and Martha Hall Foose, Running Press Adult, 224 pp.
But what’s particularly tantalizing is the chapter on “Colorful Drinks to Sip and Savor,” which features concoctions like a soothing warm turmeric milk sweetened with honey and sprinkled with cardamom, and a fruity mint tea with peach ice cubes. Gomez has created a feast for the eyes and a how-to for the world traveler who likes to cook at home.
Kitchen-armchair traveling
Traveling offers the rewards of not only exciting new vistas, but also unfamiliar tastes and smells. What if you were ushered into the kitchen of a friendly grandma who wanted to teach you her favorite dishes? You would relax, absorb, and enjoy. That’s the experience of “In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers From the Eight African Countries That Touch the Indian Ocean,” by Hawa Hassan, a Somali chef, and Julia Turshen, a cookbook author. The two present 75 recipes and stories gathered from “bibis” from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and Eritrea.
Ten Speed Press View caption Hide caption “In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers From the Eight African Countries That Touch the Indian Ocean” by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen, Ten Speed Press, 288 pp.
These are recipes from home cooks whose priority is to please their loved ones with good food. No fancy equipment is required, but you’ll learn about the widely used berbere spice mix (made up of dried chiles and warm spices) and how to make flatbreads in a skillet. And there are a few surprises, too, such as the appearance of Italian-influenced dishes like lasagna. The storytelling and gorgeous photos emanate hospitality and warmth, bringing these global neighbors one step closer.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Pan-African influences on Black cooking
Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson delivers his seventh cookbook hot off the press of current events: a pandemic that has strained the food industry and waves of Black Lives Matter protests. Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef and American restaurant owner, strives to lift up the profiles of Black chefs in “The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food” by sharing their recipes and stories. African and Caribbean culinary influences run throughout, as do classic Southern approaches.
Voracious View caption Hide caption “The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food” by Marcus Samuelsson, Voracious, 336 pp.
Because these recipes are from chefs, prepare to up your game and get curious about spicy heat and flavors. (Fermented shrimp paste appears with surprising regularity.) Samuelsson also peppers in commentary from culinary historians, podcasters, and authors about the meaning of food in the Black community. The cumulative effect moves the conversation beyond the stereotype of “soul food” and into a creative, adaptable, and dynamic portfolio of emerging American recipes.


csmonitor--2020-10-22--The unexpected key to fighting a pandemic: Compassion

Ms. Ardern has won recognition from a world expert in compassion , who sent a message congratulating her on her election victory and praising her “ calm , compassion and respect for others.
” These leaders have been able to persuade their citizens to follow social distancing rules and to wear masks , because by displaying compassion themselves , they have been able to elicit that quality in their fellow citizens .
And only if you love your neighbors do you take the trouble to protect them .
Jacinda Ardern , New Zealand ’ s prime minister who just won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the best at showing compassion .
Along with other leaders such as New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and German Chancellor Angela Merkel , she has mixed it in with a clear message and a coherent policy to combat the pandemic .
Compassion .
In today ’ s political atmosphere it is a quality that seems almost quaint .
But when you look at the leaders around the world who have coped well with COVID-19 , compassion keeps coming up .
It ’ s been a long , fiercely contested election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
And we already know the result .
No , not the campaign for November ’ s election in America , but last Saturday ’ s vote in the Pacific island nation of New Zealand .
There , Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a landslide of historic proportions .
And her victory offered a critically important lesson for leaders worldwide on politics in the time of the coronavirus .
A series of lessons in fact : Leadership matters .
The kind of leadership matters .
And while even the right kind can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avert deep economic and social pain , it will , in the end , be rewarded with understanding and support from most citizens .
Ms. Ardern , who led her Labour Party to its highest vote share in five decades , is the clearest example .
But there are others : Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany , for instance ; K.K .
Shailaja , the health minister in the southwest Indian state of Kerala ; or individual governors in the United States such as New York ’ s Andrew Cuomo .
The course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place .
Germany and Kerala , though suffering far lower losses than their neighbors , are now dealing with a further wave of infections .
New York isn ’ t entirely out of the woods either .
But their leaders have taken a broadly similar approach to Ms. Ardern ’ s .
You could call it the “ three C ’ s ” : clarity , coherence , and – a quality that seems almost quaint in today ’ s political atmosphere – compassion .
First , clarity .
Clarity of message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Ardern and the others essentially told their citizens : This virus spreads from person to person .
The only way to confront it is to stay away from one another , even locking down as necessary .
That ’ s going to be tough .
It ’ s going to be painful , for all of us .
But I need you , and we need one another , to do this together .
Then , coherence : adopting specific measures – ranging from social distancing and wearing masks , testing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them even if people get impatient and start demanding that the rules be relaxed .
Which is partly why so much depends upon compassion , leaders ’ ability to convey a sense that their people are facing a shared challenge in pursuit of a singular aim : protecting family and friends , neighbors and fellow citizens .
Saving lives .
In some places that has come over as something closer to tough love .
Kerala ’ s Health Minister Shailaja hasn ’ t minced her words in recent days when decrying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public during an August religious festival , as well as a series of political rallies , which are threatening a new wave of cases .
But when it comes to Ms. Shailaja , a former high school science teacher , her underlying humanity has never been in doubt .
She won national fame managing another virus two years ago – by personally visiting terrified villagers at the start of the outbreak to reassuringly explain the threat and how it could be turned back .
In Germany , Chancellor Merkel has always seemed slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , her political nickname – Mutti , German for “ mom ” – points to the calming , maternal influence she enjoys with the public .
As social gatherings among young people feed a potential second wave of COVID-19 , she addressed them directly last week : “ Isn ’ t it worth being a bit patient now ?
” she asked .
“ Everything will come back – partying , going out , fun without coronavirus rules .
But right now , something else matters most : being mindful of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo ’ s daily news briefings , at the height of the pandemic in New York earlier this year , did project the need for people to stay tough – “ New York Tough.
” But on more than one occasion he reminded his audience that part of being strong was the capacity to show fellow-feeling , to care .
“ At the end of the day , my friends , even if it is a long day , love wins , ” he told a press conference in March .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus.
” Still , it is Ms. Ardern who provides the most dramatic example of clear , coherent , and compassionate leadership showing results .
Only 25 lives have been lost to the pandemic in New Zealand .
From early February – the day after a man in the Philippines became the first COVID-19 fatality outside China – she announced a steadily tightening series of limits on foreign visitors , along with a quarantine system for arrivals .
By late March she had imposed a national lockdown , even though New Zealand had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and no deaths .
The prime minister herself delivered regular video messages offering explanation and empathy : on one occasion she spoke from a bedroom in her family home .
Though restrictions were looser by June , a resurgence of cases prompted a second , three-week lockdown in August .
Yet by the election , everyday life was back to normal after three weeks without a new infection .
One case was reported that day , a port worker , who was immediately placed in isolation along with his family members .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s work and social contacts also tested positive , as did a number of fishing-crew workers arriving on a flight from Moscow – all sent to be housed in government-run quarantine quarters .
Despite her success in limiting the spread of COVID-19 , Ms. Ardern now faces other challenges , above all dealing with the pandemic ’ s severe economic costs .
The economy , particularly dependent on tourism , is now in recession .
Rising numbers of people are claiming state benefits .
The early signs suggest she will seek to tackle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic .
If a victory-night speech emphasizing the importance of respecting opponents ’ views is any indication , she will seek to build consensus .
With compassion .
As is traditional , a slew of congratulatory messages flowed in on election night from around the world .
But one stood out .
It was from the Dalai Lama , who praised her “ courage , wisdom and leadership.
” He added that he also admired “ the calm , compassion and respect for others she has shown in these challenging times @ @

Ms. Ardern has won recognition from a world expert in compassion, who sent a message congratulating her on her election victory and praising her “calm, compassion and respect for others.”
These leaders have been able to persuade their citizens to follow social distancing rules and to wear masks, because by displaying compassion themselves, they have been able to elicit that quality in their fellow citizens. And only if you love your neighbors do you take the trouble to protect them.
Our global columnist picks out clarity, coherence, and compassion as qualities that distinguish leaders who have coped well with the pandemic. But the greatest of these is compassion.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister who just won a landslide election victory, has been one of the best at showing compassion. Along with other leaders such as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she has mixed it in with a clear message and a coherent policy to combat the pandemic.
Compassion. In today’s political atmosphere it is a quality that seems almost quaint. But when you look at the leaders around the world who have coped well with COVID-19, compassion keeps coming up.
It’s been a long, fiercely contested election campaign, inevitably dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. And we already know the result.
No, not the campaign for November’s election in America, but last Saturday’s vote in the Pacific island nation of New Zealand. There, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a landslide of historic proportions. And her victory offered a critically important lesson for leaders worldwide on politics in the time of the coronavirus.
A series of lessons in fact: Leadership matters. The kind of leadership matters. And while even the right kind can’t save every life, nor avert deep economic and social pain, it will, in the end, be rewarded with understanding and support from most citizens.
Why We Wrote This Our global columnist picks out clarity, coherence, and compassion as qualities that distinguish leaders who have coped well with the pandemic. But the greatest of these is compassion.
Ms. Ardern, who led her Labour Party to its highest vote share in five decades, is the clearest example. But there are others: Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, for instance; K.K. Shailaja, the health minister in the southwest Indian state of Kerala; or individual governors in the United States such as New York’s Andrew Cuomo.
The course of the pandemic has differed from place to place. Germany and Kerala, though suffering far lower losses than their neighbors, are now dealing with a further wave of infections. New York isn’t entirely out of the woods either. But their leaders have taken a broadly similar approach to Ms. Ardern’s.
You could call it the “three C’s”: clarity, coherence, and – a quality that seems almost quaint in today’s political atmosphere – compassion.
First, clarity. Clarity of message, calmly and consistently delivered. Prime Minister Ardern and the others essentially told their citizens: This virus spreads from person to person. The only way to confront it is to stay away from one another, even locking down as necessary. That’s going to be tough. It’s going to be painful, for all of us. But I need you, and we need one another, to do this together.
Then, coherence: adopting specific measures – ranging from social distancing and wearing masks, testing and tracking, to lockdowns – and sticking with them even if people get impatient and start demanding that the rules be relaxed.
Which is partly why so much depends upon compassion, leaders’ ability to convey a sense that their people are facing a shared challenge in pursuit of a singular aim: protecting family and friends, neighbors and fellow citizens. Saving lives.
In some places that has come over as something closer to tough love. Kerala’s Health Minister Shailaja hasn’t minced her words in recent days when decrying the “huge laxity” shown by the public during an August religious festival, as well as a series of political rallies, which are threatening a new wave of cases.
But when it comes to Ms. Shailaja, a former high school science teacher, her underlying humanity has never been in doubt. She won national fame managing another virus two years ago – by personally visiting terrified villagers at the start of the outbreak to reassuringly explain the threat and how it could be turned back.
In Germany, Chancellor Merkel has always seemed slightly uncomfortable with public displays of emotion. Still, her political nickname – Mutti, German for “mom” – points to the calming, maternal influence she enjoys with the public.
As social gatherings among young people feed a potential second wave of COVID-19, she addressed them directly last week: “Isn’t it worth being a bit patient now?” she asked. “Everything will come back – partying, going out, fun without coronavirus rules. But right now, something else matters most: being mindful of one another, and sticking together.”
Governor Cuomo’s daily news briefings, at the height of the pandemic in New York earlier this year, did project the need for people to stay tough – “New York Tough.” But on more than one occasion he reminded his audience that part of being strong was the capacity to show fellow-feeling, to care.
“At the end of the day, my friends, even if it is a long day, love wins,” he told a press conference in March. “And it will win again, through this virus.”
Still, it is Ms. Ardern who provides the most dramatic example of clear, coherent, and compassionate leadership showing results. Only 25 lives have been lost to the pandemic in New Zealand.
From early February – the day after a man in the Philippines became the first COVID-19 fatality outside China – she announced a steadily tightening series of limits on foreign visitors, along with a quarantine system for arrivals. By late March she had imposed a national lockdown, even though New Zealand had by then registered only a hundred cases and no deaths.
The prime minister herself delivered regular video messages offering explanation and empathy: on one occasion she spoke from a bedroom in her family home. Though restrictions were looser by June, a resurgence of cases prompted a second, three-week lockdown in August. Yet by the election, everyday life was back to normal after three weeks without a new infection.
One case was reported that day, a port worker, who was immediately placed in isolation along with his family members. This week, two of the man’s work and social contacts also tested positive, as did a number of fishing-crew workers arriving on a flight from Moscow – all sent to be housed in government-run quarantine quarters.
Despite her success in limiting the spread of COVID-19, Ms. Ardern now faces other challenges, above all dealing with the pandemic’s severe economic costs. The economy, particularly dependent on tourism, is now in recession. Rising numbers of people are claiming state benefits.
The early signs suggest she will seek to tackle those challenges the same way she responded to the pandemic. If a victory-night speech emphasizing the importance of respecting opponents’ views is any indication, she will seek to build consensus. With compassion.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
As is traditional, a slew of congratulatory messages flowed in on election night from around the world. But one stood out. It was from the Dalai Lama, who praised her “courage, wisdom and leadership.”
He added that he also admired “the calm, compassion and respect for others she has shown in these challenging times.”


csmonitor--2020-10-22--Saudi dissidents target crown prince where it hurts: Washington

“ The ability of all these small disparate groups to form a party attests to the really bad situation that has gripped the country the last five years , ” she says .
“ Everyone agreed that democracy was the only way out.
” “ At this moment we agreed that this was a time to rise above all the divisions that have weakened Saudi civil society in the past , despite our different orientations and ideologies , ” says Madawi al-Rasheed , a founding member of the new opposition party .
These were among the first in a flurry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ties with the West and provide a platform for the voices of the kingdom ’ s increasingly frustrated citizens .
An advocacy group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi filed a suit this week against the crown prince in U.S. federal court , even as Saudi activists – united in a new party – began mapping out their goal of a democratically elected government .
Pushed together by repression , disparate groups from Saudi Arabia ’ s long-fractured civil society are uniting in opposition to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the dissidents are set to prove that the road to change in Riyadh runs through Washington .
Forged together by Saudi government repression and forced to act in exile , an unlikely coalition of opposition factions has launched a campaign hitting the regime where it hurts the most : Washington .
An advocacy group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi filed a suit against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in U.S. federal court this week , even as Saudi opposition activists – united in a new party – began mapping out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These were among the first in a flurry of moves designed to scuttle Saudi Arabia ’ s ties with the West and provide a platform for the voices of the kingdom ’ s increasingly frustrated citizens .
While dismissed by some observers and analysts as merely the latest in a line of Middle Eastern exile groups , the activists and dissidents say they have risen above internal differences and are set to prove that the road to change in Riyadh runs through Washington .
Pushed together by crackdowns , repression , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , disparate groups from Saudi Arabia ’ s long-fractured civil society are uniting in opposition to the crown prince , who is often referred to as MBS .
Just weeks old , the National Assembly Party – its acronym NAAS the transliteration of the Arabic word for “ people ” – began organizing as the first opposition party for a kingdom that lacks a constitution , bans political parties , and targets families as retribution for criticism of the state .
Its founding members include former members of the military , liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tribes of different regions , who rarely shared a table .
The party is now quietly expanding its membership base for the common goals of democracy , an independent judiciary , and an elected government .
NAAS says it has learned from previous reform movements that fractured along Islamist-liberal , Shiite-Sunni , geographical and tribal lines – divisions that were reinforced by state-sponsored divide-and-conquer-tactics .
“ At this moment we agreed that this was a time to rise above all the divisions that have weakened Saudi civil society in the past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Madawi al-Rasheed , a social anthropologist and NAAS founding member and spokeswoman , based in London .
“ The ability of all these small disparate groups to form a party attests to the really bad situation that has gripped the country the last five years , ” she says .
“ Everyone agreed that democracy was the only way out.
” NAAS ’ s public demand for democracy also breaks with the previous reform movements in Saudi Arabia , including nationalists and liberal princes in the 1960s , political Islamists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in the early 1990s .
Those movements accepted the Saudi monarchy and social contract as legitimate ; criticism remained internal .
Reformers posted “ petitions ” and “ letters ” to monarchs politely requesting political reform .
But growing frustration over increased repression and a deteriorating economic situation at home is driving Saudi citizens and activists to become bolder with their demands .
“ The repression has become so pervasive that if you are a feminist , if you are an Islamist , if you are a professional , or just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a target and your family is a target , ” says Dr. Rasheed .
NAAS says it is focusing on broader issues appealing to Saudi citizens , namely democracy , the economy , perceived corruption by members of the royal family , and ending the costly war in Yemen .
Democracy for the Arab World Now ( DAWN ) is a think-tank and advocacy group founded by Mr. Khashoggi , who was assassinated in October 2018 by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul .
Based in Washington , DAWN pushes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world by holding regimes – and their enablers in the West – accountable for their abuses .
DAWN says dissenting figures within the Saudi government are providing it with support and leaked documentation , a sign , it says , of a “ huge amount of anger ” within the Saudi state .
“ Logically , when you alienate the Shiite minority , attack liberals , jail prominent religious scholars , antagonize tribes , provoke your own royal family , and make it difficult for businesspeople to work with a politicized anti-corruption campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anger , ” says Abdullah Alaoudh , research director for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at DAWN .
“ This is giving us a lot of allies.
” His father , Sheikh Salman al-Odah , is one of dozens of reformers in Saudi jails and is currently facing the death penalty .
The activists in exile , unable to organize or call for protests at home , admit that their scope is limited within Saudi Arabia – where observers are skeptical whether DAWN and NAAS could make ripples .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is abroad as a gateway for change back home .
DAWN is embarking on a strategy naming the various officials , rulers , and mid-level civil servants and judges who carry out oppression and repression in Arab states , detailing their crimes and pressuring Western governments not to host them .
The group is focusing on “ specific authoritarian countries like Saudi Arabia that depend on American policy and protection for their own stability and security , ” says Mr. Alaoudh .
“ We are using this reliance on the U.S. as leverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Considering Crown Prince Mohammed ’ s close alliance with the Trump administration , which he relies on for political cover to continue a costly war in Yemen and embark on campaigns of repression at home , Saudi dissenters and activists say they are now targeting this very relationship as a pressure point .
In what they vow to be the first of many legal cases , DAWN named Mohammed bin Salman and 20 co-conspirators in a civil lawsuit in Washington federal court Oct. 20 over Mr. Khashoggi ’ s murder , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruler to the crime .
DAWN is already building further legal cases against other Saudi officials involved in abuses , targeting Saudi assets and financial interests in the U.S .
In some cases , DAWN says it will campaign for Congress to invoke the Magnitsky Act , which authorizes the U.S. government to sanction those it sees as human rights offenders , to target certain officials and ban their entry to the U.S .
The organization is also working to expose the K Street think tanks , public relations firms , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s image and gloss over its abuses .
DAWN is also actively campaigning to urge the American business community to refrain from doing business with a Saudi government many believe is attempting to whitewash its image .
NAAS and DAWN say they are already finding sympathetic ears in Congress , and are hopeful to further pressure the Saudi government on its human rights record under a potential President Joe Biden .
As a candidate the former vice president has said he would treat Saudi Arabia as a “ pariah.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse time for the Saudi palace .
Riyadh is actively trying to rebuild its image in the West in the wake of the Khashoggi murder , the humanitarian toll of its disastrous Yemen war , and the ongoing detention and alleged torture of rights activists .
The Saudi public relations push has gained new impetus not only due to rising hostility in Congress , but also the prospect that President Donald Trump might lose .
American companies are seen as critical to Saudi efforts to attract foreign direct investment to jumpstart a struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Vision 2030 plan to create a post-oil economy .
DAWN and NAAS say they are determined to make Saudi Arabia ’ s Capitol Hill charm offensive an uphill battle .
Says F. Gregory Gause , a longtime Saudi observer and head of the International Affairs Department at Texas A & M : “ They will advocate and push policy types in Washington , and they will complicate MBS ’ s efforts to build and maintain good relations with the U.S. , the U.K. , and even the EU at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @

“The ability of all these small disparate groups to form a party attests to the really bad situation that has gripped the country the last five years,” she says. “Everyone agreed that democracy was the only way out.”
“At this moment we agreed that this was a time to rise above all the divisions that have weakened Saudi civil society in the past, despite our different orientations and ideologies,” says Madawi al-Rasheed, a founding member of the new opposition party.
These were among the first in a flurry of moves designed to damage Saudi Arabia’s ties with the West and provide a platform for the voices of the kingdom’s increasingly frustrated citizens.
Even in societies riven by differences, democracy can be a unifying ideal. In the face of repression, Saudis – including liberals, Islamists, Sunnis, Shiites, and former members of the military – have united to oppose the regime.
An advocacy group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi filed a suit this week against the crown prince in U.S. federal court, even as Saudi activists – united in a new party – began mapping out their goal of a democratically elected government.
Pushed together by repression, disparate groups from Saudi Arabia’s long-fractured civil society are uniting in opposition to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And forced to act in exile, the dissidents are set to prove that the road to change in Riyadh runs through Washington.
Forged together by Saudi government repression and forced to act in exile, an unlikely coalition of opposition factions has launched a campaign hitting the regime where it hurts the most: Washington.
An advocacy group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi filed a suit against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in U.S. federal court this week, even as Saudi opposition activists – united in a new party – began mapping out their goal of a democratically elected government.
These were among the first in a flurry of moves designed to scuttle Saudi Arabia’s ties with the West and provide a platform for the voices of the kingdom’s increasingly frustrated citizens.
Why We Wrote This Even in societies riven by differences, democracy can be a unifying ideal. In the face of repression, Saudis – including liberals, Islamists, Sunnis, Shiites, and former members of the military – have united to oppose the regime.
While dismissed by some observers and analysts as merely the latest in a line of Middle Eastern exile groups, the activists and dissidents say they have risen above internal differences and are set to prove that the road to change in Riyadh runs through Washington.
Pushed together by crackdowns, repression, and the harassment and arrests of their family members, disparate groups from Saudi Arabia’s long-fractured civil society are uniting in opposition to the crown prince, who is often referred to as MBS.
Just weeks old, the National Assembly Party – its acronym NAAS the transliteration of the Arabic word for “people” – began organizing as the first opposition party for a kingdom that lacks a constitution, bans political parties, and targets families as retribution for criticism of the state.
Its founding members include former members of the military, liberals, Islamists, Sunnis, Shiites, and tribes of different regions, who rarely shared a table. The party is now quietly expanding its membership base for the common goals of democracy, an independent judiciary, and an elected government.
Break with the past
NAAS says it has learned from previous reform movements that fractured along Islamist-liberal, Shiite-Sunni, geographical and tribal lines – divisions that were reinforced by state-sponsored divide-and-conquer-tactics.
“At this moment we agreed that this was a time to rise above all the divisions that have weakened Saudi civil society in the past, despite our different orientations and ideologies,” says Madawi al-Rasheed, a social anthropologist and NAAS founding member and spokeswoman, based in London.
“The ability of all these small disparate groups to form a party attests to the really bad situation that has gripped the country the last five years,” she says. “Everyone agreed that democracy was the only way out.”
NAAS’s public demand for democracy also breaks with the previous reform movements in Saudi Arabia, including nationalists and liberal princes in the 1960s, political Islamists in the 1980s, and a liberal reformist movement in the early 1990s.
Those movements accepted the Saudi monarchy and social contract as legitimate; criticism remained internal. Reformers posted “petitions” and “letters” to monarchs politely requesting political reform.
But growing frustration over increased repression and a deteriorating economic situation at home is driving Saudi citizens and activists to become bolder with their demands.
“The repression has become so pervasive that if you are a feminist, if you are an Islamist, if you are a professional, or just a citizen criticizing the government, you are a target and your family is a target,” says Dr. Rasheed.
NAAS says it is focusing on broader issues appealing to Saudi citizens, namely democracy, the economy, perceived corruption by members of the royal family, and ending the costly war in Yemen.
Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) is a think-tank and advocacy group founded by Mr. Khashoggi, who was assassinated in October 2018 by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Based in Washington, DAWN pushes for human rights and democracy in the Arab world by holding regimes – and their enablers in the West – accountable for their abuses.
DAWN says dissenting figures within the Saudi government are providing it with support and leaked documentation, a sign, it says, of a “huge amount of anger” within the Saudi state.
“Logically, when you alienate the Shiite minority, attack liberals, jail prominent religious scholars, antagonize tribes, provoke your own royal family, and make it difficult for businesspeople to work with a politicized anti-corruption campaign, you can expect a wide amount of anger,” says Abdullah Alaoudh, research director for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at DAWN. “This is giving us a lot of allies.”
His father, Sheikh Salman al-Odah, is one of dozens of reformers in Saudi jails and is currently facing the death penalty.
Trouble in Washington
The activists in exile, unable to organize or call for protests at home, admit that their scope is limited within Saudi Arabia – where observers are skeptical whether DAWN and NAAS could make ripples.
But the Saudi dissenters say their main focus is abroad as a gateway for change back home.
DAWN is embarking on a strategy naming the various officials, rulers, and mid-level civil servants and judges who carry out oppression and repression in Arab states, detailing their crimes and pressuring Western governments not to host them.
The group is focusing on “specific authoritarian countries like Saudi Arabia that depend on American policy and protection for their own stability and security,” says Mr. Alaoudh. “We are using this reliance on the U.S. as leverage and their network of interests against them.”
Considering Crown Prince Mohammed’s close alliance with the Trump administration, which he relies on for political cover to continue a costly war in Yemen and embark on campaigns of repression at home, Saudi dissenters and activists say they are now targeting this very relationship as a pressure point.
In what they vow to be the first of many legal cases, DAWN named Mohammed bin Salman and 20 co-conspirators in a civil lawsuit in Washington federal court Oct. 20 over Mr. Khashoggi’s murder, in a bid to officially link the Saudi ruler to the crime.
DAWN is already building further legal cases against other Saudi officials involved in abuses, targeting Saudi assets and financial interests in the U.S.
Targeting Congress
In some cases, DAWN says it will campaign for Congress to invoke the Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the U.S. government to sanction those it sees as human rights offenders, to target certain officials and ban their entry to the U.S.
The organization is also working to expose the K Street think tanks, public relations firms, and other institutions that take Saudi money to bolster the country’s image and gloss over its abuses.
DAWN is also actively campaigning to urge the American business community to refrain from doing business with a Saudi government many believe is attempting to whitewash its image.
NAAS and DAWN say they are already finding sympathetic ears in Congress, and are hopeful to further pressure the Saudi government on its human rights record under a potential President Joe Biden. As a candidate the former vice president has said he would treat Saudi Arabia as a “pariah.”
It couldn’t come at a worse time for the Saudi palace.
Riyadh is actively trying to rebuild its image in the West in the wake of the Khashoggi murder, the humanitarian toll of its disastrous Yemen war, and the ongoing detention and alleged torture of rights activists.
The Saudi public relations push has gained new impetus not only due to rising hostility in Congress, but also the prospect that President Donald Trump might lose.
American companies are seen as critical to Saudi efforts to attract foreign direct investment to jumpstart a struggling economy and realize the crown prince’s Vision 2030 plan to create a post-oil economy.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
DAWN and NAAS say they are determined to make Saudi Arabia’s Capitol Hill charm offensive an uphill battle.
Says F. Gregory Gause, a longtime Saudi observer and head of the International Affairs Department at Texas A&M: “They will advocate and push policy types in Washington, and they will complicate MBS’s efforts to build and maintain good relations with the U.S., the U.K., and even the EU at a time when they are badly needed.”


csmonitor--2020-10-22--US intelligence alleges Iran sent fake emails to threaten voters

United States officials have accused Iran of being behind a flurry of threatening but fake emails sent to Democratic voters in multiple battleground states in a late-stage effort to sway public opinion and interfere in the presidential election .
Purportedly from far-right , pro-Trump groups like the Proud Boys , the fake emails were apparently aimed at intimidating voters .
John Ratcliffe , the government ’ s national intelligence director , said the aim was to hurt President Donald Trump in the contest against Democrat Joe Biden , though he did not elaborate on how .
One possibility is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump in the minds of voters with the Proud Boys after he was criticized for failing to unequivocally denounce the group during the first presidential debate .
Officials did not lay out specific evidence for how they came to pinpoint Iran , but the activities attributed to Tehran would mark a significant escalation for a country some cybersecurity experts regard as a second-rate player in online espionage .
The announcement was made late Wednesday at a hastily called news conference 13 days before the election .
The allegations underscored the U.S. government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries to influence the election by spreading false information meant to suppress voter turnout and undermine American confidence in the vote .
Such direct attempts to sway public opinion are more commonly associated with Moscow , which conducted a covert social media campaign in 2016 aimed at sowing discord and is again trying to interfere this year , but the idea that Iran could be responsible suggested that those tactics have been adopted by other nations , too .
“ These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries , ” said Mr. Ratcliffe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christopher Wray , insisted that the U.S. would impose costs on any foreign countries that interfere in the 2020 U.S. election and that the integrity of the vote remains sound .
“ You should be confident that your vote counts , ” Mr. Wray said .
“ Early , unverified claims to the contrary should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.
” The two officials called out Russia and Iran for having obtained voter registration information , though such data is sometimes easily accessible and there was no allegation either country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had altered any vote tallies .
Iran sent spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters and sow unrest and also distributed a video that falsely suggested voters could cast fraudulent ballots from overseas , Mr. Ratcliffe said .
Mr. Wray and Mr. Ratcliffe did not describe the emails linked to Iran , but officials familiar with the matter said the U.S. has linked Tehran to messages that Democratic voters in multiple states , including Alaska and battleground locations like Florida , have received .
The emails falsely purported to be from the far-right group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will come after you ” if the recipients didn ’ t vote for Mr. Trump .
It would not be the first time that the Trump administration has said Tehran is working against the Republican president .
An intelligence assessment released in August said : “ Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions , President Trump , and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections.
” It said the country would probably continue to focus on “ spreading disinformation on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content.
” A spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations , Alireza Miryousefi , denied Tehran had anything to do with the alleged voter intimidation .
“ Unlike the U.S. , Iran does not interfere in other country ’ s elections , ” Mr. Miryousefi wrote on Twitter .
“ The world has been witnessing U.S. ’ own desperate public attempts to question the outcome of its own elections at the highest level.
” Iran ’ s Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss ambassador on Thursday over the allegations .
The Swiss Embassy has overseen America ’ s interests in Tehran since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Islamic Republic of Iran , while rejecting the allegations and the fake reports , again emphasizes that there ’ s no difference for Tehran which candidate goes to the White House , ” the ministry said in a statement .
Mr. Trump , speaking at a rally in North Carolina , made no reference to the announcement , but he repeated a familiar campaign assertion that Iran is opposed to his reelection .
He promised that if he wins another term he will swiftly reach a new accord with Iran over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to let me win .
China doesn ’ t want to let me win , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ The first call I ’ ll get after we win , the first call I ’ ll get will be from Iran saying , ‘ Let ’ s make a deal.
’ ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff , the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee , said the “ disturbing ” threats cut to the heart of the right to vote .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts , either foreign or domestic , to silence voters ’ voices and take away that right , ” they said in a statement .
While state-backed Russian hackers are known to have infiltrated U.S. election infrastructure in 2016 , there is no evidence that Iran has ever done so , and it was not clear how officials were able to identify Iran so quickly .
The operation represented something of a departure in cyber-ops for Iran , which sought for the first time on record to undermine voter confidence .
Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and espionage .
A top cyberthreat analyst , John Hultquist of FireEye , said the striking development marked “ a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran ’ s willingness to interfere in the democratic process .
While many of their operations have been focused on promoting propaganda in pursuit of Iran ’ s interests , this incident is clearly aimed at undermining voter confidence.
” The voter intimidation operation apparently used email addresses obtained from state voter registration lists , which include party affiliation and home addresses , and can include email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were then used in an apparently widespread targeted spamming operation .
The senders claimed they would know which candidate the recipient was voting for in the Nov. 3 election , for which early voting is ongoing .
Federal officials have long warned about the possibility of this type of operation , as such registration lists are not difficult to obtain .
“ These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters ’ confidence in our elections , ” Christopher Krebs , the top election security official at the Department of Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emails first surfaced .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Bajak reported from Boston .
AP writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta ; Michael Balsamo , Colleen Long , and Zeke Miller in Washington ; Amir Vahdat in Tehran , Iran ; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed .

United States officials have accused Iran of being behind a flurry of threatening but fake emails sent to Democratic voters in multiple battleground states in a late-stage effort to sway public opinion and interfere in the presidential election.
Purportedly from far-right, pro-Trump groups like the Proud Boys, the fake emails were apparently aimed at intimidating voters. John Ratcliffe, the government’s national intelligence director, said the aim was to hurt President Donald Trump in the contest against Democrat Joe Biden, though he did not elaborate on how.
One possibility is the messages may have been intended to align Mr. Trump in the minds of voters with the Proud Boys after he was criticized for failing to unequivocally denounce the group during the first presidential debate.
Officials did not lay out specific evidence for how they came to pinpoint Iran, but the activities attributed to Tehran would mark a significant escalation for a country some cybersecurity experts regard as a second-rate player in online espionage. The announcement was made late Wednesday at a hastily called news conference 13 days before the election.
The allegations underscored the U.S. government’s concern about efforts by foreign countries to influence the election by spreading false information meant to suppress voter turnout and undermine American confidence in the vote. Such direct attempts to sway public opinion are more commonly associated with Moscow, which conducted a covert social media campaign in 2016 aimed at sowing discord and is again trying to interfere this year, but the idea that Iran could be responsible suggested that those tactics have been adopted by other nations, too.
“These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries,” said Mr. Ratcliffe, who, along with FBI Director Christopher Wray, insisted that the U.S. would impose costs on any foreign countries that interfere in the 2020 U.S. election and that the integrity of the vote remains sound.
“You should be confident that your vote counts,” Mr. Wray said. “Early, unverified claims to the contrary should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.”
The two officials called out Russia and Iran for having obtained voter registration information, though such data is sometimes easily accessible and there was no allegation either country had hacked a database for it or had altered any vote tallies. Iran sent spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters and sow unrest and also distributed a video that falsely suggested voters could cast fraudulent ballots from overseas, Mr. Ratcliffe said.
Mr. Wray and Mr. Ratcliffe did not describe the emails linked to Iran, but officials familiar with the matter said the U.S. has linked Tehran to messages that Democratic voters in multiple states, including Alaska and battleground locations like Florida, have received. The emails falsely purported to be from the far-right group Proud Boys and warned that “we will come after you” if the recipients didn’t vote for Mr. Trump.
It would not be the first time that the Trump administration has said Tehran is working against the Republican president.
An intelligence assessment released in August said: “Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions, President Trump, and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections.” It said the country would probably continue to focus on “spreading disinformation on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content.”
A spokesman for Iran’s mission to the United Nations, Alireza Miryousefi, denied Tehran had anything to do with the alleged voter intimidation.
“Unlike the U.S., Iran does not interfere in other country’s elections,” Mr. Miryousefi wrote on Twitter. “The world has been witnessing U.S.’ own desperate public attempts to question the outcome of its own elections at the highest level.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss ambassador on Thursday over the allegations. The Swiss Embassy has overseen America’s interests in Tehran since the aftermath of the 1979 hostage crisis.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while rejecting the allegations and the fake reports, again emphasizes that there’s no difference for Tehran which candidate goes to the White House,” the ministry said in a statement.
Mr. Trump, speaking at a rally in North Carolina, made no reference to the announcement, but he repeated a familiar campaign assertion that Iran is opposed to his reelection. He promised that if he wins another term he will swiftly reach a new accord with Iran over its nuclear program.
“Iran doesn’t want to let me win. China doesn’t want to let me win,” Mr. Trump said. “The first call I’ll get after we win, the first call I’ll get will be from Iran saying, ‘Let’s make a deal.’”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, said the “disturbing” threats cut to the heart of the right to vote.
“We cannot allow voter intimidation or interference efforts, either foreign or domestic, to silence voters’ voices and take away that right,” they said in a statement.
While state-backed Russian hackers are known to have infiltrated U.S. election infrastructure in 2016, there is no evidence that Iran has ever done so, and it was not clear how officials were able to identify Iran so quickly.
The operation represented something of a departure in cyber-ops for Iran, which sought for the first time on record to undermine voter confidence. Iran’s previous operations have been mostly propaganda and espionage.
A top cyberthreat analyst, John Hultquist of FireEye, said the striking development marked “a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran’s willingness to interfere in the democratic process. While many of their operations have been focused on promoting propaganda in pursuit of Iran’s interests, this incident is clearly aimed at undermining voter confidence.”
The voter intimidation operation apparently used email addresses obtained from state voter registration lists, which include party affiliation and home addresses, and can include email addresses and phone numbers. Those addresses were then used in an apparently widespread targeted spamming operation. The senders claimed they would know which candidate the recipient was voting for in the Nov. 3 election, for which early voting is ongoing.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Federal officials have long warned about the possibility of this type of operation, as such registration lists are not difficult to obtain.
“These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters’ confidence in our elections,” Christopher Krebs, the top election security official at the Department of Homeland Security, tweeted Tuesday night after reports of the emails first surfaced.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Bajak reported from Boston. AP writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta; Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, and Zeke Miller in Washington; Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.


csmonitor--2020-10-22--What to watch for in the debate: Racism, coronavirus, muted mics

After meeting last month in perhaps the most chaotic debate in modern history , President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , will take the stage Thursday to give it another go .
The bar to improve upon their last prime-time meeting is low : Their first debate was punctuated by frequent interruptions , mostly from Mr. Trump , leaving the two men talking over each other and Mr. Biden eventually telling the president to “ shut up.
” A planned second debate didn ’ t happen after the Republican president was diagnosed with the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump instead participated in dueling town halls on competing television networks .
Thursday ’ s debate , starting at 9 p.m. EDT , in Nashville , Tennessee , marks the candidates ’ second and final face-to-face meeting , with Election Day less than two weeks away .
The debate will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker .
Ms. Welker will be the first Black woman to serve as the moderator of a presidential debate since Carole Simpson in 1992 .
The debate be divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a topic selected by Ms. Welker : “ Fighting COVID-19 , ” “ American Families , ” “ Race in America , ” “ Climate Change , ” “ National Security , ” and “ Leadership.
” After viewers of the last presidential debate bemoaned the moderator ’ s inability to cut off the candidates ’ microphones , the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates responded with an announcement this week that each candidate ’ s microphone will be turned off while his opponent gives a two-minute answer to an initial question on each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the microphones will stay on during open discussion , leaving it likely there will still be lots of crosstalk during rebuttals .
Since the last debate , Mr. Trump was diagnosed with and hospitalized for COVID-19 .
The president has cast the virus and his own infection in positive terms , resumed holding large campaign rallies , and attacked the government ’ s top infectious-disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Mr. Biden , who has portrayed the Trump administration ’ s response as an abject failure , has taken a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , holds small in-person campaign events , and releases his COVID-19 test results , which have been negative .
Look for them to focus on personal choices as much as their differing policy plans .
The president for months has been making accusations of corruption against Mr. Biden and has lately intensified his focus on unverified claims about Mr. Biden ’ s son Hunter .
During the last debate , the president did not shy away from bringing up Mr. Biden ’ s family , targeting the former vice president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misuse , and attacked Mr. Biden ’ s intelligence .
Mr. Biden ’ s aides anticipate Mr. Trump will again level searing personal attacks during the debate .
Mr. Biden is expected to try to redirect to his core argument that Mr. Trump is unfit for the job .
Following a summer marked by protests across the country over racial injustice , Mr. Trump has repeatedly portrayed himself as a greater champion for Black Americans than Mr. Biden is , while emphasizing a law-and-order theme .
But during the last debate , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he would condemn white supremacists , and he refused to outright condemn a far-right fascist group , instead telling them to “ stand back and stand by.
” Mr. Biden , who frequently acknowledges systemic racism , has accused the president of encouraging a rise of white supremacy and armed militias , and cites Mr. Trump ’ s comments that there were “ very fine people ” on both sides of a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , as the impetus for his presidential run .
Look for Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump casts Mr. Biden as responsible for helping send millions of Black Americans to prison with a 1994 crime law passed when Mr. Biden was a senator .
Mr. Trump is expected to continue promoting his “ America First ” policies , which have pulled the United States out of multilateral agreements that he maintains were not in the country ’ s interests .
He ’ s also likely to highlight construction of more than 200 miles of his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border , and recently brokered deals normalizing relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Israel .
Mr. Biden has accused the president of alienating long-standing U.S. allies .
He ’ s expected to focus on Mr. Trump ’ s efforts to sustain a relationship with Vladimir Putin ’ s Russia despite warnings from U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and allegations that Russia offered secret bounties for American deaths in Afghanistan .
Immigration isn ’ t among the featured topics expected during the debate , but Mr. Biden might seek to raise the issue on the heels of a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to find the parents of 545 children separated at the U.S.-Mexico border early in the Trump administration .
Mr. Biden has repeatedly slammed Mr. Trump ’ s immigration policies , something that Mr. Trump featured prominently in his 2016 campaign .
The 90-minute debate will be aired on major networks and cable news channels including ABC , CBS , CNN , Fox , Fox News Channel , Fox Business Network , PBS , NBC , MSNBC , Noticias Telemundo , and C-SPAN .
Most of the networks will offer a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their apps and accounts on YouTube and other social media channels .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .

After meeting last month in perhaps the most chaotic debate in modern history, President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, will take the stage Thursday to give it another go.
The bar to improve upon their last prime-time meeting is low: Their first debate was punctuated by frequent interruptions, mostly from Mr. Trump, leaving the two men talking over each other and Mr. Biden eventually telling the president to “shut up.” A planned second debate didn’t happen after the Republican president was diagnosed with the coronavirus and refused to participate in a virtual format. Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump instead participated in dueling town halls on competing television networks.
Thursday’s debate, starting at 9 p.m. EDT, in Nashville, Tennessee, marks the candidates’ second and final face-to-face meeting, with Election Day less than two weeks away.
The debate will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker. Ms. Welker will be the first Black woman to serve as the moderator of a presidential debate since Carole Simpson in 1992.
The debate be divided into six 15-minute segments, each on a topic selected by Ms. Welker: “Fighting COVID-19,” “American Families,” “Race in America,” “Climate Change,” “National Security,” and “Leadership.”
Muted microphones
After viewers of the last presidential debate bemoaned the moderator’s inability to cut off the candidates’ microphones, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates responded with an announcement this week that each candidate’s microphone will be turned off while his opponent gives a two-minute answer to an initial question on each debate topic.
After those initial replies, the microphones will stay on during open discussion, leaving it likely there will still be lots of crosstalk during rebuttals.
Coronavirus
Since the last debate, Mr. Trump was diagnosed with and hospitalized for COVID-19. The president has cast the virus and his own infection in positive terms, resumed holding large campaign rallies, and attacked the government’s top infectious-disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Mr. Biden, who has portrayed the Trump administration’s response as an abject failure, has taken a much more cautious approach. He regularly wears a mask, holds small in-person campaign events, and releases his COVID-19 test results, which have been negative. Look for them to focus on personal choices as much as their differing policy plans.
Family and personal attacks
The president for months has been making accusations of corruption against Mr. Biden and has lately intensified his focus on unverified claims about Mr. Biden’s son Hunter. During the last debate, the president did not shy away from bringing up Mr. Biden’s family, targeting the former vice president’s son for his history of substance misuse, and attacked Mr. Biden’s intelligence.
Mr. Biden’s aides anticipate Mr. Trump will again level searing personal attacks during the debate. Mr. Biden is expected to try to redirect to his core argument that Mr. Trump is unfit for the job.
Race
Following a summer marked by protests across the country over racial injustice, Mr. Trump has repeatedly portrayed himself as a greater champion for Black Americans than Mr. Biden is, while emphasizing a law-and-order theme. But during the last debate, Mr. Trump gave a reluctant answer when asked if he would condemn white supremacists, and he refused to outright condemn a far-right fascist group, instead telling them to “ stand back and stand by.”
Mr. Biden, who frequently acknowledges systemic racism, has accused the president of encouraging a rise of white supremacy and armed militias, and cites Mr. Trump’s comments that there were “very fine people” on both sides of a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the impetus for his presidential run.
Look for Mr. Biden to continue hitting those themes while Mr. Trump casts Mr. Biden as responsible for helping send millions of Black Americans to prison with a 1994 crime law passed when Mr. Biden was a senator.
National security
Mr. Trump is expected to continue promoting his “America First” policies, which have pulled the United States out of multilateral agreements that he maintains were not in the country’s interests. He’s also likely to highlight construction of more than 200 miles of his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and recently brokered deals normalizing relations between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Mr. Biden has accused the president of alienating long-standing U.S. allies. He’s expected to focus on Mr. Trump’s efforts to sustain a relationship with Vladimir Putin’s Russia despite warnings from U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and allegations that Russia offered secret bounties for American deaths in Afghanistan.
Immigration
Immigration isn’t among the featured topics expected during the debate, but Mr. Biden might seek to raise the issue on the heels of a report this week that court-appointed lawyers have been unable to find the parents of 545 children separated at the U.S.-Mexico border early in the Trump administration. Mr. Biden has repeatedly slammed Mr. Trump’s immigration policies, something that Mr. Trump featured prominently in his 2016 campaign.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
The 90-minute debate will be aired on major networks and cable news channels including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, PBS, NBC, MSNBC, Noticias Telemundo, and C-SPAN. Most of the networks will offer a way to watch the debate live online, through their apps and accounts on YouTube and other social media channels.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--Points of Progress: Tasmanian devils back in Australia, and more

A record 1,006 openly LGBTQ candidates ran for office in local , state , and federal elections this year .
This tally includes primary races and the November general election , and marks a 41 % jump from the 2018 midterms , according to Victory Fund , a national organization that tracks LGBTQ political candidates across multiple parties .
A 2017 Gallup poll suggests 4.5 % of Americans identify as lesbian , gay , bisexual , or transgender , but researchers have said 0.17 % of the country ’ s elected officials are openly LGBTQ .
“ For a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns around LGBTQ candidates , ” said political science professor Gabriele Magni , adding that recent high-profile campaigns – including Pete Buttigieg ’ s presidential run – have “ sent a clear message that LGBTQ candidates can run and win.
” French lawmakers have unanimously voted to return the “ Treasure of Béhanzin ” – 26 artifacts seized by French troops in 1892 – to the people of Benin .
The objects include statues and a royal throne , and had been held by the Quai Branly Museum in Paris .
The announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repatriation of African art and artifacts .
French officials say the decision is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen their relationship with the Francophone countries of West Africa .
“ This vote represents a big victory for international cooperation .
We have been heard and understood , ” said Alain Godonou , Benin ’ s national museum director , who will spend the next several months revamping the museum to house the priceless artifacts .
“ After these artifacts are returned , we will be able to host all sorts of collections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ’ s government recently expanded laws targeting the gender pay gap .
The new decree establishes a framework for comparing the objective value of different jobs and requires companies to provide the gender breakdown of employee wages .
Workplaces that fail to disclose the latter face fines up to $ 220,000 .
The change comes as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to exacerbate the pay gap in many countries .
“ In this emergency situation we know that there will be no economic recovery if we don ’ t end the pay gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equality Minister Irene Montero .
“ You can ’ t play around with fundamental rights.
” Londoners are breathing cleaner air after a series of transit changes reduced pollution throughout the city .
The number of people living amid illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide ( NO ) pollution has fallen by 94 % in the past few years .
According to an October report , London Mayor Sadiq Khan ’ s government has reached its goals in part by discouraging the driving of dirtier diesel vehicles , employing low-emission buses on some routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Combined with plans to extend London ’ s ultralow emission zone , the city is now on track to reach legal compliance in every neighborhood by 2025 .
“ The changes in NO in central London and along main bus routes were some of the fastest that we ’ ve ever measured , ” said Dr. Gary Fuller , an air pollution expert at Imperial College London .
“ These successes show that our city ’ s air pollution is not an intractable problem.
” Encouraged by positive results in its first two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding its “ green school model ” to all grades .
The city ’ s Department of Natural Resources and Environment , in partnership with the Department of Education and Training , has recognized dozens of schools for their commitment to sustainability .
The “ green schools ” must utilize energy-efficient technology and address environmental issues in student curriculum .
“ Green schools help to create a clean and safe environment , but also educate students about nature and environmental protection , ” said Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mỹ , deputy director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Among the school levels , primary school is an important foundation for forming children ’ s behaviours and attitudes.
” Twenty-six Tasmanian devils have been released into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia , marking the endangered marsupials ’ first return to the mainland in 3,000 years .
The devils ’ disappearance from Australia was likely related to human hunting habits .
Today , there are roughly 25,000 devils left on the island of Tasmania .
The reintroduction project has been years in the making .
In March , conservationists released 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand acres of fenced-off eucalyptus forest as a “ soft launch.
” The rest joined in September , and the team will allow that group to acclimate before introducing more devils , along with other creatures they hope will improve the country ’ s biodiversity .
Despite the species ’ reputation , Tasmanian devils pose no threat to humans .
“ We ’ ve got some basic means of keeping an eye on them , ” said Tim Faulkner , president of species recovery organization AussieArk .
“ But essentially , now it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what they do .
”

1. United States
A record 1,006 openly LGBTQ candidates ran for office in local, state, and federal elections this year. This tally includes primary races and the November general election, and marks a 41% jump from the 2018 midterms, according to Victory Fund, a national organization that tracks LGBTQ political candidates across multiple parties.
A 2017 Gallup poll suggests 4.5% of Americans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, but researchers have said 0.17% of the country’s elected officials are openly LGBTQ. “For a long time there were a lot of electability concerns around LGBTQ candidates,” said political science professor Gabriele Magni, adding that recent high-profile campaigns – including Pete Buttigieg’s presidential run – have “sent a clear message that LGBTQ candidates can run and win.”
Why We Wrote This This is more than feel-good news – it's where the world is making concrete progress. A roundup of positive stories to inspire you.
Thomson Reuters Foundation, Victory Fund, Gallup
2. Benin
French lawmakers have unanimously voted to return the “Treasure of Béhanzin” – 26 artifacts seized by French troops in 1892 – to the people of Benin. The objects include statues and a royal throne, and had been held by the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. The announcement comes amid a broader debate over the repatriation of African art and artifacts. French officials say the decision is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen their relationship with the Francophone countries of West Africa.
Philippe Wojazer/Reuters/File View caption Hide caption Sculptures taken from present-day Benin in 1892 by colonialists and displayed in France at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris will be permanently returned.
“This vote represents a big victory for international cooperation. We have been heard and understood,” said Alain Godonou, Benin’s national museum director, who will spend the next several months revamping the museum to house the priceless artifacts. “After these artifacts are returned, we will be able to host all sorts of collections and exhibitions, including international ones.”
Radio France Internationale
3. Spain
Spain’s government recently expanded laws targeting the gender pay gap. The new decree establishes a framework for comparing the objective value of different jobs and requires companies to provide the gender breakdown of employee wages. Workplaces that fail to disclose the latter face fines up to $220,000. The change comes as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to exacerbate the pay gap in many countries. “In this emergency situation we know that there will be no economic recovery if we don’t end the pay gap once and for all,” said Equality Minister Irene Montero. “You can’t play around with fundamental rights.”
Reuters
4. United Kingdom
Londoners are breathing cleaner air after a series of transit changes reduced pollution throughout the city. The number of people living amid illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) pollution has fallen by 94% in the past few years. According to an October report, London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s government has reached its goals in part by discouraging the driving of dirtier diesel vehicles, employing low-emission buses on some routes, and expanding protected cycling space. Combined with plans to extend London’s ultralow emission zone, the city is now on track to reach legal compliance in every neighborhood by 2025.
Simon Dawson/Reuters/File View caption Hide caption Early risers run past Tower Bridge in London on Oct. 24, 2018. New transpor- tation policies have contributed to a dramatic decline in pollution.
“The changes in NO 2 in central London and along main bus routes were some of the fastest that we’ve ever measured,” said Dr. Gary Fuller, an air pollution expert at Imperial College London. “These successes show that our city’s air pollution is not an intractable problem.”
The Guardian
5. Vietnam
Encouraged by positive results in its first two years, Ho Chi Minh City is expanding its “green school model” to all grades. The city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, has recognized dozens of schools for their commitment to sustainability. The “green schools” must utilize energy-efficient technology and address environmental issues in student curriculum.
“Green schools help to create a clean and safe environment, but also educate students about nature and environmental protection,” said Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mỹ, deputy director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. “Among the school levels, primary school is an important foundation for forming children’s behaviours and attitudes.”
Viet Nam News
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
6. Australia
Twenty-six Tasmanian devils have been released into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia, marking the endangered marsupials’ first return to the mainland in 3,000 years. The devils’ disappearance from Australia was likely related to human hunting habits. Today, there are roughly 25,000 devils left on the island of Tasmania.
Cristian Prieto/Wildark/AP View caption Hide caption Children help release Tasmanian devils, famous for their feisty cartoon por- trayals, in mainland Australia on Sept. 10, 2020, as part of a yearslong reintroduction program.
The reintroduction project has been years in the making. In March, conservationists released 15 of the famously rowdy scavengers in a thousand acres of fenced-off eucalyptus forest as a “soft launch.” The rest joined in September, and the team will allow that group to acclimate before introducing more devils, along with other creatures they hope will improve the country’s biodiversity. Despite the species’ reputation, Tasmanian devils pose no threat to humans. “We’ve got some basic means of keeping an eye on them,” said Tim Faulkner, president of species recovery organization AussieArk. “But essentially, now it’s over to the devils to do what they do.”
National Geographic